Steve Kerr jokes he missed out on $5,000 checks after midterms

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opened his post-practice media availability on Wednesday with a joke that quickly spread across sports and political circles.

"What, no questions on the election? I'm surprised," Kerr said.

He then added: "I'm disappointed, because I was looking forward to that $5,000 check that we were all gonna get."

Kerr said he had already spent the money.

"I already spent it, in fact," he told reporters.

"I was so excited about it and sure about it that I spent it already, so now I'll have to figure something out."

The joke referred to a specific pledge made by President Donald Trump in the days before the November 3 midterm elections.

Trump ran an advertisement promising every American adult a $5,000 check if Republicans kept control of Congress.

He first announced the proposal in September at the Republican Party's midterm convention in Dallas.

Trump repeated the pledge in his final speech before Election Day, saying the payment would go to every adult citizen if Republicans held both the House and the Senate.

The condition was not met.

Projections show Democrats will take full control of Congress in January after winning both chambers on Tuesday night.

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

Both margins flipped.

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 echoed a joke already circulating across the political spectrum.

The offer itself drew criticism from the start.

Legal experts noted that the president does not have the authority to unilaterally send checks to every adult citizen without congressional approval.

Even if Republicans had performed well, the payment would not have happened.

The point is now moot.

Kerr is a longtime critic of Trump.

He has spoken out repeatedly on issues ranging from gun safety to election integrity.

In 2024, he endorsed Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention.

At the time, he acknowledged that speaking out about politics "comes with risks."

After his comments following the 2024 presidential 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 his platform to say what he believes.

Critics argue that sports figures should stay out of politics.

That same divide shaped the discussion of Wednesday's remark.

Kerr's joke was relatively light by his own standards.

He did not name Trump directly in the quote.

He did not discuss specific policies.

He did not endorse a party.

The joke touched on a campaign promise that never had a realistic path to becoming law.

Wednesday's press conference was otherwise routine.

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

The matchup will feature Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins, two key players from Golden State's championship runs, now wearing Heat uniforms.

Kerr spoke about seeing them in different colors.

"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."

"You end up competing against friends and sometimes even family," he added.

"But it'll be great to see both guys… two just incredible contributors to the Warriors' championships… both Klay and Wiggins are wonderful human beings and great teammates, and it'll be great."

Thompson comes into the game with momentum.

He hit a game-winning three-pointer Wednesday night to give the Heat a 117-116 overtime win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

After that game, Thompson said he would "soak" up the experience of returning to face his former team.

"The Warriors are playing real well," Thompson said Wednesday.