Trump and Vance close GOP midterm convention amid low attendance and heightened rhetoric
The Republican midterm convention in Dallas ended with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance urging voter turnout, while observers noted empty seats and a focus on portraying Democrats as a threat.
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance wrapped up the two-day Republican midterm convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sept. 10. The event, intended to energize the party’s base ahead of the November elections, featured a pledge from attendees to vote and a series of speeches that framed the upcoming midterms as a battle for the nation’s future.
Trump addressed a largely empty upper level, claiming the arena was "packed" and accusing the media of misrepresenting crowd size. He warned that Democrats were "getting nervous" and reiterated a proposal to provide $5,000 checks to adults if Republicans control Congress. The president’s remarks lasted about 25 minutes, shorter than his previous night-long speech.
Vice President Vance, speaking for the first time at the convention, described the Democratic Party as a "party of hatred" and criticized a protester holding a flag, telling the individual to return to Mexico. He also targeted Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, accusing him of representing extremist views.
Other GOP speakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Ted Cruz, warned that the midterms would determine the country’s direction, labeling Democrats as socialists or communists and warning of a “new red-green alliance.”
Democratic lawmakers in Dallas organized counter-programming, highlighting economic concerns and ongoing conflicts abroad, and criticized the convention’s focus on culture-war issues.
Some Republican officeholders from swing districts, such as Rep. Mike Lawler, attended the event but emphasized a more moderate stance, noting differences with Trump on certain policies.
The convention’s mixed reception and visible empty seats underscore concerns within the GOP about voter enthusiasm and turnout as the 2024 midterm elections approach.