Trump ties goodies to GOP wins

President Donald Trump is pledging to deliver campaign promises only if Republicans keep control of Congress in the midterm elections. He is conditioning multiple policy moves on GOP victory.

Kansas rally: ethanol fuel deal

Rallying Monday in Kansas, Trump promised to make year-round E fifteen permanent if Republican Sen. Roger Marshall is re-elected. E fifteen is fuel blended with fifteen percent ethanol, often restricted in summer.

“With Roger Marshall in the Senate, we will make year-round E15 permanent. But if Adam Hamilton is in, I'm not doing it.”

North Carolina: Camp Lejeune settlement

Yesterday in North Carolina, Trump vowed to instruct his Justice Department to settle all remaining claims by veterans regarding contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune if Republicans win the House and Senate.

“If we win the House and the Senate, I am directing the Department of Justice to settle all remaining legitimate claims as soon as possible.”

Kentucky: defence spending pledge

Saturday in Kentucky, Trump declared that the Defence Department will invest one hundred million dollars in pharmaceutical company Anthea's manufacturing facility in the state if GOP Senate candidate Andy Barr wins.

“But you have to win, Andy. Otherwise, forget it.”

The five thousand dollar promise

At nearly every rally, Trump touts a promise to send every American adult a five thousand dollar payment if Republicans hold the House and Senate. GOP leaders have made no such promise.

GOP doubts the five thousand dollars

Key players on Capitol Hill doubt the five thousand dollar payment would happen, saying they have not seen a plan from Trump for where the funds would come from. Some question its feasibility.

Voters are sceptical

A recent NBC News Decision Desk Poll found that just fourteen percent of U.S. adults expect to receive five thousand dollar payments if Republicans win, while seventy-one percent do not expect it.

Even Republicans are sceptical

Self-identified Republicans said by forty-seven percent to twenty-eight percent that they do not expect to see five thousand dollar payments. Doubt about the pledge crosses party lines.

Witkoff calls Putin humanitarian

Special envoy Steve Witkoff declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a humanitarian while in St. Petersburg, expressing gratitude for Russia's release of American prisoner Stephen Hubbard after his capture in Ukraine.

Hubbard's background and trial

Stephen Hubbard, seventy-four, a retired teacher, was captured in Ukraine a few months after the war started. He was convicted by a Russian court of serving as a mercenary, charges he denied.

Trump credits sanctions waiver

Trump later credited Hubbard's release to his waiving Russian sanctions he had just signed into law, as well as his personal request to Putin in their last telephone call.

Vance defends the release

Vice President JD Vance said the country should celebrate that an American hostage was coming home, not complain about what Steve Witkoff said in order to get it done.

Democrats attack Witkoff's praise

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., called Witkoff's description insulting, saying the late Sen.Lindsey Graham was rolling over in his grave.House Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Jim Himes, D-Conn.

Republicans also criticise Witkoff

Republican Sen. Susan Collins called Putin a warmonger and aggressor, not a humanitarian. Retiring Sen. Thom Tillis wrote on X that Witkoff should ask families of children Putin kidnapped whether they agree he is humanitarian.

“I would describe Putin as a warmonger. He's certainly not a humanitarian.”

Ukraine talks and ceasefire

Witkoff and Jared Kushner reported that Putin agreed to restart trilateral talks with the U.S. and Ukraine not held since February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they should be held no later than November.

Zelenskyy warns of historic mistake

After devastating Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv, Zelenskyy told NBC News that if the United States supports Putin, it would be a historic mistake and tragedy. Ukraine cannot prevail without U.S. support.

“If United States will support Putin, I mean, it's unbelievable. It's tragedy. It's historic mistake and big tragedy.”