The Republican Party kicked off its midterm convention on Wednesday night (Sept. 9), and chief among the first night’s moments was the appearance of Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania making an introductory speech, along with President Donald Trump imploring the public to vote for the GOP with a promise of $5,000 to all Americans.
Fetterman’s appearance came in the form of a video that introduced GOP Senator David McCormick, who also represents Pennsylvania as Fetterman does. Fetterman and McCormick have frequently crossed the aisle to work together on legislation, but it was still a surprise move as the midterms are eight weeks away.
Calling McCormick a “great friend,” Fetterman also referred to himself as a “common-sense Democrat” and attacked socialism, stating that he would reject “that anti-American way of life.” He also vowed to work with Trump to preserve Pennsylvania’s steel industry.
His move was seen as “a dramatic escalation in Fetterman’s growing estrangement from his party,” according to a report from Axios before the convention’s start. Fetterman has increasingly created distance between himself and the Democrats, citing their changing stance on Israel as a reason. It’s believed that he will switch party affiliations, but
Fetterman says he wouldn’t if Democrats gained a Senate majority.
He would be chastized by many online after the video aired. “You need to resign. And then get help. But this is wrong,” former GOP congressman Joe Walsh wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
President Trump took the stage to close out the evening, and the major point of his speech was the dubious pledge he made – that every American adult would get $5,000 if Republicans held onto the House of Representatives and the Senate after the November midterms.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000,” Trump said, referring to it as similar to shareholders recieving dividends. “It will be called the Trump Dividend,” he added. The sum would be more than Americans received in direct checks distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic in Trump’s first term.
Vice President JD Vance immediately tried to walk that statement back, as others online pointed out how similar it was to tech billionaire and Trump crony Elon Musk’s attempts to influence the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections. Others recalled how Trump made that same promise earlier in the year, claiming it was proceeds found by Musk’s disastrous DOGE agenda.
