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Palantir Cofounder Says Trump's Proposed $5,000 Dividend Is a 'Bribe'
Business Insider • • nation
Key Points:
- Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale criticized President Trump's proposal to send $5,000 checks to adult US citizens if Republicans retain control of Congress, calling it a "bread and circus bribe" to placate voters.
- Lonsdale, a GOP donor who endorsed Trump, sarcastically questioned why the amount wouldn't be increased to millions, highlighting concerns about money printing and fiscal responsibility.
- Trump unveiled the proposal at the Republican midterm convention as part of efforts to boost GOP chances in the November elections, despite prediction markets favoring Democrats to retake the House.
- The plan would require congressional approval, with House Speaker Mike Johnson noting Trump cannot issue the payments unilaterally; Vice President JD Vance suggested tariff revenues could help fund the initiative.
- The cost of the proposed checks would exceed tariff revenues collected by the US Treasury, and Democrats quickly mocked the idea as unrealistic.
