New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- With less than a month to go before the US midterm elections on 3 November, President Donald Trump is escalating his pitch to voters by promising $5,000 cheques if Republicans win and retain control of Congress, months after saying that he did not care about the midterms.

Trump made the announcement in September at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas. "If the Republicans win, you win with us, and you get $5,000," he said. Explaining the rationale behind his proposal, the US President cited America's "tremendous economic success," adding that Washington "is making so much money".

The offer comes as the Iran war and its impact on fuel prices and household expenses threaten to weigh on Republican prospects, put...