Trump to Spend $400m Ahead of Midterms
Source reports published 20 Oct 2026, 10:00 am – 21 Oct 2026, 1:27 am AEST
Donald Trump has pledged to spend $400m on supporting Republican candidates in the upcoming midterms and also to distribute $5,000 checks to voters if Republicans maintain control of Congress, a move met with skepticism by some supporters. The promise, alongside other campaign spending, aims to influence the November 3 midterm elections.
What happened
- Donald Trump has announced a plan to spend more than $400 million to support Republican candidates in the upcoming November 3 midterm elections.
- According to a post on his Truth Social platform, this spending includes advertising, voter contact programs, and rallies.
- Trump stated the election would be ‘the Most Important Midterm Elections in our Country’s History’.
- Despite the substantial investment, Trump’s approval ratings remain low, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll showing only 31% approval.
- Some Republicans are distancing themselves from Trump, while others are advocating for increased support, particularly in key races.
- Questions have arisen regarding the use of funds from MAGA Inc, a super PAC, and other affiliated groups.
- Elon Musk has also reportedly invested $366 million in Republican campaigns.
- Trump’s promise of $5,000 checks, if Republicans win, has been met with mixed reactions, with some supporters expressing confidence in receiving the funds, while others believe the promise is unrealistic given past experiences.
- The administration’s position is that the payments would help people recover from inflation, though Republicans attribute the inflation to previous government checks.
Original reporting
- PBS NewsHour: Gimmick or giveback? Even some Trump supporters don't expect to get $5,000 checks after midterms
2026-10-20T15:27:05+00:00 - Al Jazeera: Trump commits more than $400m ahead of high-stakes midterm elections
2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00