Gavin Newsom calls Trump’s $5K voter payout ‘bulls—’ and a ‘desperate’ power grab

Gavin Newsom may need to drop a buck in the dividend jar.

On Thursday, California’s governor dismissed President Donald Trump’s promise to give every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain control of Congress, calling the payouts “bulls—.”

“I’m looking forward to the check,” Newsom joked, calculating that his family would receive $25,000 under the president’s plan. “My wife said, ‘Don’t spend it.’”

Newsom accused Trump of attempting to bribe voters with a promise that could cost the federal government more than $1.2 trillion and would require approval from Congress.

“It’s sort of pathetic and sad at the same time,” Newsom told reporters at a press conference in Marina County. 

“Pathetic, because it’s just bulls—, and sad that he had to go in front of people and basically bribe them. I mean, that’s how desperate he is to hold on to power.”

Trump announced the proposed “Trump Dividend” on Wednesday during a speech at the Republican Party’s first midterm convention in Dallas. The president said every adult citizen would receive $5,000 if voters keep both the House and Senate under Republican control in the Nov. 3 midterm elections. 

“Vote Republican, and every adult citizen will receive a $5,000 Trump dividend,” Trump told the crowd, adding that recipients would be required to spend the money on American-made goods and services.

The White House dismissed “doomers and naysayers” when reached for comment on Newsom’s remarks. 

“President Trump has consistently proven his doubters wrong, drawing a clear contrast with the Democrats’ record of historic inflation, unfettered illegal immigration, skyrocketing crime, and weakness on the world stage,” said White House spokesperson Davis Ingle. “With the continued support of the American people, President Trump will keep delivering real results.” 

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The proposal also appeared to catch Republican leaders on Capitol Hill by surprise. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had not been briefed before Trump announced it, while conservative budget hawks warned the payments could further inflate the national debt, which has surpassed $40 trillion.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance have suggested tariff revenue and savings from cuts to federal spending could help finance direct payments to Americans. But no legislation authorizing the dividends has been introduced, and the administration has not released a detailed funding plan.

Newsom said the offer showed Trump understood that his political power could be sharply curtailed if Democrats capture either chamber of Congress, which is why California Democrats passed Proposition 50 to gerrymander congressional districts.

“He knows his presidency is de facto over as we know it this November,” Newsom said. “He’s going to do everything he can to rig the election. In the absence of that, he wanted to buy everybody off.”

Newsom framed the midterms as a referendum on democratic institutions and predicted Americans would “turn out in record numbers” in November.

“He’s not serious,” Newsom said. “But I think the American people are.”