Palantir cofounder calls Trump’s $5,000 cash giveaway a political bribe
Joe Lonsdale, a Palantir cofounder and GOP donor, slammed President Trump’s proposal to issue $5,000 checks to adults as a “bread-and-circuses” bribe.
Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale, a prominent Republican donor, publicly denounced President Donald Trump’s plan to distribute $5,000 checks to adult Americans if Republicans retain congressional control, calling it a “bread and circuses” bribe. While expressing support for the party’s midterm goals, Lonsdale sarcastically suggested the government could simply print money and give everyone $5 million. The idea was announced during the Republican Party’s inaugural midterm convention and would need approval from Congress, a point emphasized by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Vice President JD Vance alluded to using tariff revenues to cover the more than $1 trillion cost, but Treasury data indicate that recent tariff collections are far lower than required. Congressional Democrats, led by Rep. Robert Garcia, ridiculed the proposal and urged the administration to concentrate on reducing gas and grocery costs and expanding health care instead.
Why it matters
The criticism highlights partisan disputes over costly cash giveaways and their feasibility ahead of the midterm elections.
How this story developed
- Sep 2 Major networks limit live coverage of GOP 2026 convention as NFL games debut
- Sep 8 Networks have scaled back live coverage of the convention to prioritize NFL opening‑weekend games.
- Sep 9 Texas Democrats adopt divergent tactics, with Tarrant County opting out of press events and Dallas County organizing a rally.
- Sep 9 Illinois Governor JB Pritzker warned that any Republican attending the GOP midterm convention and praising Donald Trump is ineligible for a 2028 presidential run.
- Sep 10 Pritzker warned that Republicans praising Trump at the GOP midterm convention could be barred from the 2028 presidential ballot.
- Sep 10 Donald Trump announced he will push a "Great Healthcare plan" that would limit insurance company payments and give funds directly to consumers.
- Sep 10 Major broadcasters are limiting live coverage of the convention due to a clash with NFL opening‑weekend games.
- Sep 10 Vice‑president JD Vance will give the keynote address tonight at the RNC event in Dallas.
- Sep 10 Donald Trump announced a promise to give every American adult a $5,000 payment if Republicans keep the House and Senate, a plan that would require congressional approval and cost over $1 trillion.
- Sep 10 Several GOP lawmakers publicly questioned the feasibility and fiscal impact of the dividend.
- Sep 10 Fetterman recorded the video standing before a steel mill and labeled himself a “common‑sense Democrat” opposing socialism and extreme politics.
- Sep 10 Trump announced $500 rebate checks for ACA enrollees.
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