Republicans are holding an unusual midterm convention in Dallas this week, one that centers entirely on President Donald Trump without formally nominating a candidate. The event takes place September 9 and 10, combining a rally, fundraiser, and campaign launch into a single two-day spectacle. Some House Republicans are skipping the gathering after being asked to pay $25,000 for tickets and lodging, according to reports from the Associated Press. Speaker Mike Johnson said some members would rather campaign at home with early voting approaching.
The convention is being called a ‘Trump-a-Palooza’ by RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, who described it as a hybrid event featuring more than 100 speakers across two nights, according to attackofthefanboy.com. Trump is scheduled to speak both nights, with his keynote address on Wednesday and a return appearance on Thursday after Vice President JD Vance closes the event. The event is being financed by private donors through a Dallas host committee that has budgeted up to $45 million for the gathering. Organizers hope the convention will help mobilize Trump’s base, which tends to vote reliably when he is on the ballot but shows less turnout when he is not. Trump began promoting the idea of a midterm convention about a year ago, aiming to make the November elections feel like one of his own campaigns. Despite Trump’s low approval ratings—now at just 33 percent according to recent polling—the party is betting that his presence will help boost turnout.
The convention’s schedule focuses on border security, tax cuts, and public safety, with no dedicated segment on the unpopular Iran war. Some 71 percent of voters disapprove of how Trump is handling the cost of living, and for the first time in nearly a decade, voters now trust Democrats more on economic issues. Even his support for the Iran war has dropped, with only 36 percent of voters approving of it.
Still, a large number of Republican lawmakers and candidates are expected to attend Dallas, including Senate nominees Ken Paxton of Texas and Mike Rogers of Michigan. Vice President JD Vance is also scheduled to speak, giving him a prominent platform in front of the party’s most committed donors. Dallas was chosen as a strategic location because Texas hosts a competitive Senate race between Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. The event is designed to nationalize the party’s message while investing heavily in one of its most crucial races.
Democrats have chosen a different strategy this cycle, skipping their own national convention and focusing instead on local campaigning. The Republican Party is betting that mobilizing Trump’s base outweighs the risk of his declining popularity. Whether that gamble pays off will likely determine the balance of power in Congress heading into 2027.
The convention is being held at a time when many Republicans are already planning to skip it due to scheduling conflicts or objections to the high ticket prices, according to a report from centralillinoisproud.com. An Associated Press survey found that a majority of Republican candidates either would not attend, had not decided, or did not respond to requests for comment. Some members cited family obligations or existing campaign plans as reasons for staying away.
The Dallas host committee has reserved $47 million in six competitive Senate races and one House race to fund the event. Trump’s super PAC has also contributed money toward the Texas Senate race, according to reports. The lineup includes Cabinet officials, congressional leaders, and candidates from competitive races such as Michigan’s Mike Rogers and North Carolina’s Michael Whatley. The convention website lists more than 100 speakers and segments focused on topics like tax cuts, fraud allegations, and a proposed ban on stock trading by members of Congress.
Despite the event’s focus on Trump, many Republicans are staying away, including some who are in tight races. The Dallas convention is being used by Democrats to paint Republicans as out of touch with voters concerned about rent, groceries, and health care. Trump himself said he will be speaking both nights of the event, promising a large-scale, exciting experience for attendees. He also made comments about oil prices and their potential drop after the midterms, though recent global prices have risen sharply.
The event is expected to draw about 30,000 people over the two nights, according to Ray Washburne, co-chair of the Dallas host committee. Washburne noted that not all speaking slots could be filled and that those not in contested races may not benefit from attending.
Fox News will be providing live coverage of the event on both nights of the convention, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, Yahoo News reported. The convention is being promoted as a once-in-a-lifetime event that will bring together the Republican Party’s biggest stars and most committed supporters. Trump has said he is excited to be part of the event and expects it to be like nothing seen at a political convention before. The event’s schedule includes appearances by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
This gathering is not a traditional political convention but rather a fundraiser and rally with a ticketed entry system.
IMAGE: Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)