Can Trump really pay $5,000 to every American adult?

US President Donald Trump has offered every adult American $5,000 (£3,700) if Republicans win November's midterm elections, but it is unclear how such a plan would be funded and whether it is legal.

His remarks prompted raucous applause from supporters at a party convention on Wednesday night, although Democrats labelled it an "empty promise".

Trump also told the Republican conference that the money would have to be spent in the US, but it is unclear how that would be monitored.

US Vice-President JD Vance suggested it might be paid for by tariff revenue and that such cheques would not go to wealthy Americans.

Under US federal law, it is illegal to give payments that are intended to influence the way a person is voting.

However, some experts have said the offer made by Trump in Texas on Wednesday could be seen as a pledge to cut taxes, which is legal.

Dr Joan Mahoney, lecturer in law at the University of Southampton, told the BBC she thought the offer would be legal, though she said politicians "don't usually do it quite this explicitly".

"On the one hand it sounds a bit like a bribe, vote for the Republicans and you'll get money, which would be decidedly illegal," she said.