Trump again promises $5,000 checks if Republicans win midterms

President Donald Trump was stumping for Republicans in the battleground state of North Carolina on Friday, and he again promised that Americans would receive $5,000 dollars if the GOP wins the midterms. 

"If we win, we're going to get you $5,000. So that's it. Very simple," Trump said, the Associated Press reported. 

The promise has had considerable pushback, including from some fellow Republicans. Trump originally promised the checks, dubbed "Trump dividends," during his speech at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. On Monday, he addressed criticism of the plan from the Democrats and insisted he planned to follow through on the pledge.

"The $5,000 Trump Dividend, to be given to all Adults in the United States due to the fact that our Country is taking in Trillions of Dollars of Economic Development, Investment, and Pure SUCCESS, is being criticized by 'Dumocrats' who are hoping that it never happens — But it will!" he insisted on Truth Social. "The $5,000 Dividend will happen because the People of our Country deserve it."

Republican candidates at the rally Friday didn't mention the dividends. The Republican National Committee has said the proposed payments are part of Trump’s broader economic plan and urged candidates to get behind it.

Doug Heye, a Republican strategist and former Republican National Committee communications director, told the Associated Press the proposal is "a dumb idea" as it would increase inflation and there's no funding to pay for it.