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The Libertarian

Trump’s $5,000 Promise and the Limits of Presidential Power

Episode length: 20m

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Richard Epstein examines Trump’s proposal to send Americans $5,000 checks, questioning who would pay, whether the giveaway makes economic sense, and what congressional approval it would require. He discusses the difference between political promises and bribery, the constitutional limits on presidential spending, and the electoral risks of sweeping cash giveaways and whether a constitutional amendment should impose an upper age limit on presidents.

Hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke and Richard Epstein

Discussion (2)

  • CarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill@CarolJoy

    If anyone can offer up a decent explanation of the in's and out's of the 90 buck giveaway, in a way that is easy enough to understand, it would be JE.

    According to US Civil Code, bribery involving the attainment of favorable election results is a felony. I'm interested in finding out if this 90 buck giveaway, as well as the $ 5,000 offer Trump made should the Republicans win, then would result in Trump donning an orange jump suit.

  • kylez@kylez
    ReplyingtoCarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill

    CarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill (View Comment):

    If anyone can offer up a decent explanation of the in’s and out’s of the 90 buck giveaway, in a way that is easy enough to understand, it would be JE.

    According to US Civil Code, bribery involving the attainment of favorable election results is a felony. I’m interested in finding out if this 90 buck giveaway, as well as the $ 5,000 offer Trump made should the Republicans win, then would result in Trump donning an orange jump suit.

    Offering something to voters as a policy is not bribery, however distasteful it could be. They would still get to vote for who they want in an election. Paying a member of Congress for a specific vote is.