The US president is rallying the GOP ahead of November’s crucial midterm elections
US President Donald Trump is addressing the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, as the GOP rallies supporters ahead of crucial congressional elections in November.
The two-day gathering at the American Airlines Center brings together Republican officials, candidates, donors and party activists from across the country. Unlike the party’s traditional presidential-year conventions, there is no nominee to select, with the event instead serving as a major campaign showcase ahead of the midterms.
Trump personally pushed for the unprecedented gathering and has put himself and his second-term record at the center of the Republican campaign despite not being on the ballot.
“In 55 days, Americans will be going to the polls in one of the most important elections in our country’s history. Your vote will decide whether our country stumbles at the starting gate of the next 250 years or surges forward and never, ever looks back,” Trump told the audience.
“When I’m on the ticket, Republicans always do well,” Trump said. “I’m asking you to pretend I’m on the ballot… Just one more time.”
The convention is organized around issues including immigration, taxes, the economy, education, crime and healthcare.
Vice President J.D. Vance and other prominent Republicans are also headlining the event, which the RNC says is its largest convention in a decade. Organizers said more than 20,000 people were expected to attend, exceeding the turnout at the party’s 2024 presidential convention in Milwaukee.
The event comes less than two months before voters decide control of Congress in elections that will determine whether Republicans can preserve their governing majority through the second half of Trump’s term. The president is also scheduled to make closing remarks on Thursday.
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