Republican Midterm Convention Held in Dallas Highlights Trump’s Influence and Party Divisions
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The Republican Party convened a two-day midterm convention in Dallas, featuring Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance as keynote speakers. Attendance was lower than expected and several high-profile GOP candidates skipped the event.
Washington — The Republican National Committee hosted its first midterm convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thursday and Friday. President Donald Trump opened the proceedings with a keynote address, followed by Vice President JD Vance, who urged attendees to contrast the party’s policies with what he described as radical left agendas.
The event, promoted as a rally for Republican voters ahead of the 2024 midterm elections, drew a crowd that fell short of venue capacity despite offers of free tickets. Organizers distributed “KEEP THE MAJORITY” signs, and the stage featured large images of Democratic leaders Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi and Kamala Harris.
During his speech, Trump referenced his recent health incident and pledged a “Trump dividend,” suggesting that a Republican victory could result in a $5,000 payment to supporters. The promise was met with skepticism from some attendees, who questioned the feasibility of such a payout.
Several prominent Republican officeholders, including Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, as well as House members Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL) and Zach Nunn (IA), were absent from the convention. Texas Governor Greg Abbott used his remarks to call for a ban on Sharia law in the state and to propose restrictions on foreign ownership of Texas land.
The convention concluded with a performance of “Nessun Dorma” and a final address by Trump, emphasizing the party’s focus on winning the upcoming elections.
The gathering highlighted ongoing internal debates within the GOP over strategy, messaging and candidate support as the party prepares for the November midterm ballot.