Republican Party Stages Spectacle in Dallas to Prop Up Trump and Far-Right Agenda
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The GOP is organizing a two-day convention in Dallas, featuring Donald Trump and JD Vance, as it doubles down on divisive rhetoric and policies ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The Republican National Committee has announced a two-day convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on September 9 and 10, in a blatant attempt to rally support for its increasingly extreme agenda. President Donald Trump, whose presidency was marked by corruption and attacks on democratic norms, will address the crowd on both evenings. Vice President JD Vance, known for his hardline stances, will speak on the first night, with Trump closing the event on the second.
Unlike traditional conventions that focus on democratic processes like nominating candidates, this Dallas gathering is being touted as a 'first in American political history'—but in reality, it’s a campaign rally and fundraising spectacle designed to energize the far-right base ahead of the November midterm elections. The RNC claims the event will showcase 'President Trump’s success, candidates, and causes,' but critics point to the party’s record of tax cuts for the wealthy, attacks on healthcare, and anti-immigrant policies.
The program lists over 100 speakers, many of whom are expected to push regressive policies on tax, healthcare, immigration, and trade. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has faced multiple legal scandals, is expected to receive prominent speaking time, with Trump stating, 'We’re going to have a lot of speakers, and the ones we want to focus on will be obviously Ken Paxton. We gotta get him elected.' This underscores the party’s willingness to elevate controversial figures regardless of ethics.
While some Republican candidates from Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia plan to attend, others are steering clear, worried that association with Trump’s toxic brand could mobilize opposition voters. In response, Democratic lawmakers led by House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries will travel to Dallas for counter-programming, though the DNC is unable to hold its own convention due to financial constraints—a reflection of the uphill battle progressives face against the GOP’s billionaire donors.
Polls show Trump’s approval rating languishing in the low-30s, a sharp decline from earlier years, raising doubts about whether this convention will do anything but further polarize the electorate. The event also coincides with the NFL’s opening week and memorials for the September 11 attacks, likely diminishing its impact and highlighting the party’s disregard for national unity.