Sacramento, California - California Governor Gavin Newsom called out President Donald Trump for saying every American adult will get a $5,000 check if the Republicans retain control of Congress.
"It's sort of pathetic and sad at the same time," Newsom told reporters during a press conference on Thursday. "Pathetic, because it's just bulls**t, and sad that he had to go in front of people and basically bribe them."
"I mean, that's how desperate he is to hold on to power. He knows his presidency is de facto over as we know it this November – he's going to do everything he can to rig the election and in the absence of that he wanted to buy everybody off."
"He said, 'If you vote for us, then I'll give you five grand,' I mean there's laws about that," Newsom continued, having initially joked that he's "looking forward to the check" because his family would receive $25,000.
During an address to the Republican Midterm Convention on Wednesday, Trump promised: "If the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5,000. It will be called the Trump dividend."
He did not confirm where the money would come from, despite such a policy potentially costing more than $1 trillion.
The California governor's comments came the same day he signed a series of laws designed to protect children's safety online, including a rule outlawing the serving of addictive features to people under 16.
In a post to X, Newsom again trolled Trump's $5,000 "bribe," pointing out that the president has "promised Americans $13,000 in checks" since entering office, but "delivered $0."
"Just this year, Gavin Newsom delivered California families more than $13,000 in no-cost childcare with free preschool for every four-year-old," he wrote. "Empty promises vs. results."