Entrepreneur Andrew Yang promised to give $12,000 to at least ten different random families over the next year. This is the amount that will be provided to each American citizen as a part of his Universal Basic Income (UBI) supplement.
“I’m going to do something unprecedented tonight," Yang said during his opening statement. "My campaign will now give a freedom dividend of $1,000 a month for an entire year to 10 American families – someone watching this at home right now. If you believe that you can solve your own problems better than any politician go to Yang2020.com and tell us how $1,000 a month will do just that.”
This sparked some laughter in the debate hall. South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg followed up with, "It's original, I'll give you that."
The secret’s out! Have you entered to win our #1kGiveaway? Visit https://t.co/CfP07EKyAq now! pic.twitter.com/SWzo6Kxz2Q
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) September 13, 2019
Is this even legal? Yang claims it is.
“We consulted with our counsel, and the Freedom Dividends are fully compliant with all FEC regulations,” the statement reads.
Leading up to the debate Yang has also tried to portray him as not "just another politicians. One of his videos feature him boxing and playing basketball.
Insight into my debate prep. 👍 #YangsDebateSurprise #yanggang #YangBeatsTrump #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/1m75XeY54k
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) September 12, 2019
Yang tweeted another video that features him crowd surfing over some of his supporters.
Haven’t crowdsurfed in a while #YangGang @GPSofficial 😀 pic.twitter.com/3ynxj8m21v
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) September 8, 2019
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Before this presidential campaign Yang had never ran for anything. He has came out of nowhere to make it to the final ten Democrats with a massive push from his supporters, known as the "Yang Gang."