The Republican Party is wrapping up its first-ever midterm convention Thursday at American Airlines Center, with Vice President J.D. Vance set to headline and President Donald Trump delivering closing remarks after appearing on both nights.
The two-day gathering, held Sept. 9–10, is not a traditional nominating convention. There are no delegates, no platform fights, and no official party business. Organizers billed it as a national showcase of the administration’s record and a turnout push barely eight weeks before the Nov. 3 midterms. Programming runs roughly 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Central each night and features more than 100 speakers and segments.
Wednesday’s opening session featured Trump’s keynote. He told the crowd to “pretend that I’m on the ballot,” warned that a Democratic win would cost the border, tax cuts, and public safety, and pledged a $5,000 “dividend” to every adult American if Republicans keep both chambers of Congress. Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate nominee Ken Paxton also spoke.
Thursday’s lineup includes a heavy Texas presence: Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, congressional candidates, Cabinet officials, and “everyday Americans” highlighting tax cuts, border enforcement, health care policy, and manufacturing. The program also includes a tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on the one-year anniversary of his assassination.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters has described the event as a way to unify the party around a common message and give midterm candidates a national stage. Critics call it a two-day Trump rally dressed up as a convention. Either way, Dallas is the center of the national political map this week as Republicans try to hold Congress through the second half of Trump’s term.