Whether the promise is fulfilled or not, Trump has introduced a new concept into the national conversation: Direct economic dividends paid from national policy revenues. Even rival politicians may feel pressure to respond with their own versions of the idea. Once the public imagines a $2,000 payout, everything else feels smaller.

Historical Context: How Big Promises Shape Elections

Throughout American history, transformative promises have helped shift political landscapes:

• Franklin Roosevelt promised sweeping economic relief during the Great Depression.

• Lyndon Johnson promised “The Great Society.”

• Ronald Reagan promised tax cuts that would “reignite American prosperity.”

• Barack Obama promised universal healthcare reforms.

• Trump himself previously promised a border wall funded by Mexico, which became a defining symbol of his first campaign.

But the $2,000 dividend promise is different.

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