Trump promises Americans $5K if GOP wins. And, Kirk supporters reflect on his death

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

During his GOP midterm convention speech last night, President Trump promised a $5,000 dividend to every adult citizen if the Republican Party maintains control of Congress in the upcoming election. The president did not provide any details on where this money would come from during his more than 90-minute address. According to the latest Census data, implementing such payments could cost $1 trillion or more. Trump's speech wasn't far from his typical rally themes. He discussed tariffs, the importance of dismantling Iran's nuclear program and the need for a bill to restrict voter identification and registration requirements. He also claimed that inflation is lower than it was when he took office.

President Trump speaks on stage on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention Sept. 9, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins is set to face the state Supreme Court today to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court. Hoskins faces two conflicting court rulings regarding a Republican redistricting plan that could influence the outcome of the midterm elections. He has chosen to follow the ruling he prefers while ignoring his state's Supreme Court, which last week rejected the Republican map that could help the GOP win a House seat.

Today marks one year after a gunman fatally shot Charlie Kirk during a talk at Utah Valley University. His death galvanized many in the Republican Party but has left questions about his movement's future. A little more than a decade before he died, Kirk founded Turning Point to engage more young people in conservative politics. Over the next 10 years, he became a key figure among Generation Z and millennial conservatives. As his young supporters reflect on the past year, they describe a complex reality: Rather than uniting, the movement faces uncertainty about its future, struggles to rally around a new leader and grapples with the same divisions that affect the broader Republican Party.

Apple's new CEO John Ternus yesterday unveiled a new foldable device called iPhone Duo. The design marks the most radical change to the iconic phone since the company introduced it nearly 20 years ago.

Olivia Rodrigo performs onstage during the debut Daisy Chain Fields music festival at Great Park Sports Complex on August 29, 2026, in Irvine, California. The sold-out festival, which was created by Rodrigo, featured an all-women lineup and raised money for charities that support women and girls. Monica Schipper/Getty Images/Getty Images North America hide caption

Olivia Rodrigo is one of pop music's biggest stars. Now, she's using her fame to speak out about political rights. Last month, her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields music festival, which featured an all-women lineup, raised $20 million for 10 organizations supporting women and girls. In an interview with Morning Edition , Rodrigo tells host Leila Fadel that she felt it was important to hold the festival now because many people are feeling discouraged by efforts to strip away their rights. "I think that the people who want to keep us down are really relying on us feeling alone and overwhelmed," she said. "And I think the antidote to that is joy and community." At the festival, she performed her single "Serena Joy" on stage for the first time. The song is named after a character in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale who wrote about the threat to all of our human rights. Listen to Rodrigo perform the song live and read more about her politics .