Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to send $5,000 payments to American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress, warning that the plan could deepen the national debt and reignite inflation.
Speaking at a Miami press conference, DeSantis said the federal government should return any surplus revenue through tax cuts rather than direct payments. “What I would say is, if you are getting surplus revenue, you should cut people’s tax and return it to the people,” he said.
DeSantis warned against borrowing the money needed to finance the plan, which independent estimates suggest could cost more than $1 trillion. “What I don’t think you want to do is borrow another trillion-and-a-half dollars and then just try to flood that into the economy, because that will lead to more inflation,” DeSantis continued. “That will lead to more debt and more inflation.”
🚨 DESANTIS: Trump’s $5k checks will create more debt and inflation.
DeSantis goes on to give a masterclass on how conservatives should govern, reducing all taxes including property taxes, and creating a Constitutional Amendment forcing Congress to balance the budget.
WOULD… pic.twitter.com/6blyvVWigf
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) September 11, 2026
The governor said lawmakers in Washington face political incentives to increase spending while avoiding difficult budget decisions, noted The HIll “The way it works now in Congress, their incentives are to add debt for short-term political benefit,” DeSantis said. “They never have to make tough decisions.”
Trump announced the proposed payments a day earlier during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, a two-day gathering intended to mobilize GOP voters ahead of the November elections. Republicans are seeking to retain control of both the House and Senate.
“Here is my promise: If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them … because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” Trump said.
Trump offered few details about the proposal, including how it would be financed. The payments would require congressional approval and could cost between $1.15 trillion and $1.35 trillion, depending on eligibility requirements. Vice President JD Vance has suggested tariff revenue could help cover the cost and that wealthier Americans might be excluded.
In a statement to NewsNation, White House spokesman Davis Ingle defended the president’s economic record but did not explain how the payments would be funded.
“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. With the continued support of the American people, President Trump will keep delivering real results.”
DeSantis challenged Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and has continued to differ with the president on several issues during Trump’s second term, including the regulation of artificial intelligence.
