Trump snapped at a reporter after a question about his $5,000 promise to voters: 'You're the worst'

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters on the tarmac before boarding Air Force One after attending the Republican Midterm Convention.

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images A reporter asked Trump why he needed to give voters $5,000 if his economic policies were working.

It didn't go well.

He blamed Biden, and leaned forward and glared at her when she tried a follow-up question.

A reporter asked President Donald Trump why he needed to incentivize voters with a $5,000 check if his economic policies were working, and it seemed to strike a nerve.

On Wednesday, Trump told the Republican Party's midterm convention that every US citizen would receive a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in November's midterms.

The proposal could cost upward of $1.3 trillion if every US citizen received the payment, though Vice President JD Vance later said wealthy people would be excluded.

Joe Lonsdale, the cofounder of Palantir , was among the critics of the pledge and said the payment would be akin to a "bribe." When a reporter questioned Trump about the proposal on the airport tarmac in Dallas on Thursday night, the president appeared to snap.

After noting that the US has $40 trillion in debt, the reporter asked: "If your economic policies are working, why do you need an incentive for people to turn out and vote?" Trump responded: "I didn't do it for turning out the vote.

I'm doing it as a reward for people having to put up with five years, and four years, of a horrible, horrible situation caused by Biden." He repeated the point, calling the promised dividend "almost a reward for the people having to put up with Biden's policies." Q: On the checks, we have $40 trillion in debt.

If your economic policies are working, why do you need an incentive for people to turn out to vote? TRUMP: I'm doing it as a reward for people having to put up for five years and four years of a horrible situation caused by Biden… pic.twitter.com/Iq4LpS1pNt — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 11, 2026 As the reporter began a follow-up question, Trump said "not you," while pointing to another journalist.

The reporter continued: "You also offered checks during… tariff refunds checks, and that didn't happen, Mr.

President." This was a reference to Trump's November 2025 pledge to send $2,000 tariff-rebate checks, which have not been paid out.

He also floated "DOGE dividends" in early 2025, which would have provided Americans with a one-time check of up to $5,000.