President Donald Trump told a campaign rally in Vandalia, Ohio, on Saturday that he would be less willing to help the state if Democrats win key midterm races. The remarks have sparked a national debate.

Trump said Republican state officials regularly call his administration seeking federal money, and told the crowd that electing Republicans would give Ohio officials a valuable connection to Washington. Referring to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton, he said, ‘But I’m not going to help her.’

A fact-check circulating online found the viral claim of an explicit funding threat misleading. It noted that while Trump signalled reduced cooperation with Democrats, he did not directly threaten to withhold federal funding.

Trump campaigned alongside Senator Jon Husted and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Husted faces former Senator Sherrod Brown, while Ramaswamy faces Acton in the November 3 midterms.

Trump also promised supporters a proposed $5,000 ‘Trump Dividend’ for Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress, a proposal that would need congressional approval.