SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci couldn't resist a sarcastic jab at President Donald Trump's $5,000 dividend promise on Tuesday, after Democrats captured the Senate in the U.S. midterm elections. The result dealt a major blow to the Republican-controlled Congress and cast fresh doubt on the proposed $1.2 trillion payout.

"I'm starting to think we won't all be getting $5000 checks," Scaramucci reportedly wrote in an X post, referring to Trump's September pledge to distribute payments if Republicans retained both chambers of Congress.

The Associated Press confirmed Wednesday that Democrats had captured the Senate, while control of the House remained undecided.

Trump's Dividend Promise Faces Congressional Roadblocks

Trump unveiled his proposal during the September 9 Republican convention in Dallas, promising Americans $5,000 each to celebrate the country's economic performance. Reuters estimated that payments to approximately 240 million adults would cost $1.2 trillion, excluding additional borrowing expenses.

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R) acknowledged that Congress must authorize the spending, while Trump insisted the payments would happen "100%." Vice President JD Vance suggested tariff revenue could fund the proposal, even though collections fall substantially short of its estimated cost.

Economists And Republicans Question Massive Spending

Republican Rep. David Schweikert warned Reuters that the checks could hurt working Americans by fueling inflation and increasing borrowing costs. Conservative economist Stephen Moore also questioned whether Trump genuinely intended to implement the proposal.

Former Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin similarly questioned the plan's feasibility, while Republican Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) warned that expanding federal borrowing would worsen affordability pressures. Investor Peter Schiff previously criticized the administration's unfunded dividend proposal.

Democrats Challenge Trump's Election-Year Pledge

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the proposal as unserious, while Republican Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) questioned its financing, citing mounting federal debt. Reuters also reported that Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) supported introducing legislation to authorize the payments.

Public skepticism preceded the election. An October Economist/YouGov survey found only 21% believed Trump would deliver the checks, while 57% doubted he would follow through. Earlier questions about the proposal's credibility reflected broader uncertainty over funding and congressional approval.