Steve Kerr cracks joke linking midterms to Donald Trump.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr cracked a joke about the 2026 midterm election results during a routine media availability on Wednesday, taking a light jab at a campaign promise made by President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters the day after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress, Kerr said he was disappointed he wouldn’t be receiving a $5,000 check.

“What no questions on the election?”

Kerr said during his media session on Wednesday.

“I’m surprised.”

“I’m disappointed, because I was looking forward to that $5,000 check that we were all going to get,” he added, according to the California Post’s Evan Webeck.

Kerr then said he had already spent the money and would now “have to figure something out.”

The joke referred to a specific pledge Trump made in the days before the election.

In September, Trump first announced the proposal at the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas.

He promised that every adult citizen would receive a $5,000 check if Republicans kept control of Congress.

Trump repeated the pledge in his last speech before Election Day.

He also ran an ad promoting the $5,000 payment, including one that aired during a UFC event the weekend before the election.

The condition was not met.

Projections showed Democrats winning full control of Congress after Tuesday night’s elections.

Republicans had entered Election Day with a 53-47 Senate majority and a 219-214 House majority.

Even before the results were final, Fox News host Jesse Watters said on air, “I don’t think we’re going to get our $5,000 checks.”

Kerr’s line therefore echoed a joke that was already circulating across the political spectrum.

Kerr is a longtime Trump critic.

He has spoken out repeatedly on issues from gun safety to elections.

In 2024, he endorsed Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention, saying he knew speaking out about politics “comes with risks.”

After his comments following the 2024 election, some critics responded with fury on social media.

One person wrote that Kerr “should be ashamed of himself.”

Supporters see an NBA coach who uses a platform to say what he believes.

Critics argue that sports figures should stay out of politics.

That divide shaped the discussion of Wednesday’s remark as well.

The joke was also light by Kerr’s standards.

He did not name Trump in the quote.

He did not discuss specific policies.

He did not endorse a party.

It touched on a campaign promise that was conditional and unfulfilled.

The reaction on social media was mixed.

Some fans praised Kerr for keeping the conversation going.

Others accused him of politicizing a postgame press conference.

Kerr did not take further questions on the topic.

He moved on to discuss basketball.

The Warriors were preparing for an emotional game against the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

That game would mark the return of Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins to the Chase Center in different uniforms.

Thompson and Wiggins were both key contributors to the Warriors’ championship runs.

Thompson hit a game-winning three for the Heat against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

He said he would “soak” up the experience of returning to face his former team.

“The Warriors are playing real well,” Thompson said Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a good challenge…It’s going to be awesome seeing all the guys I grew up with and just going to be a special night.”

Kerr also spoke about seeing Thompson and Wiggins in different uniforms.

“Those first couple times are really bizarre, and then you get used to it,” Kerr said.

“And it’s a reminder that most of us in the NBA end up with multiple teams.”

“It’s so rare to play with one team,” Kerr said.

“You end up competing against friends and sometimes even family.”

“But it’ll be great to see both guys…two just incredible contributors to the Warriors’ championships…both Klay [Thompson] and [Wiggins] are wonderful human beings and great teammates, and it’ll be great.”

The $5,000 check joke, however, remained the headline of the day.

It was a reminder that even in a basketball season, politics can find its way into the room.

Kerr’s remark did not break new ground.

It did not attack any individual by name.

It simply pointed out that a promise had been made and not kept.

Whether that was fair or unfair depends on the viewer’s politics.