The question was simple. If Donald Trump's economic policies are working, why does he need to promise Americans $5,000? It was put to the president on a Dallas airport tarmac on 10 September. The answer quickly became more personal than economic.
Trump rejected the suggestion that his proposed payment was intended to encourage voters to support Republicans. Instead, he described it as a reward for Americans who had endured what he called a 'horrible' period under former President Joe Biden.
