DALLAS — Republican leaders and candidates are converging on Dallas this week for a two-day political gathering conceived by President Donald Trump to energize his base ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. The event, described by Trump as a rally unlike any other, aims to replicate the scale and spectacle of the party’s quadrennial presidential nominating conventions.
While the Democratic Party has previously held conventions during midterm cycles in the 1970s and 1980s, this marks the first time Republicans are organizing such an event. Organizers hope the convention will offset historical headwinds that typically disadvantage the party in power during midterms and drive turnout among Trump’s supporters.
“Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot. Just come and vote,” Trump recently told supporters in South Carolina. Despite current declines in his personal approval ratings, Trump maintains that campaigning on his administration’s legislative record offers the strongest path to victory in November.
Unlike traditional conventions where delegates formally nominate candidates, this event serves primarily as a showcase. More than 100 House members and candidates are expected to attend, with tickets and lodging costing $25,000. However, some lawmakers facing tight competitive races have opted out or are still deciding their participation less than a week before the event begins.
The schedule features Trump delivering keynote addresses on both Wednesday and Thursday. On the final day, he will appear following remarks by Vice President JD Vance. The roster of speakers is extensive, including Cabinet members Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and former press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Other notable speakers include Senate candidates Ken Paxton of Texas and Mike Rogers of Michigan, alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. Ted Cruz.
A significant portion of the programming is dedicated to highlighting Trump’s agenda, including immigration enforcement, tax cuts, tariff policies, and legislation aimed at lowering prescription drug costs. Speakers are expected to vigorously criticize Democrats, often characterizing them through partisan rhetoric. Additionally, the event will feature ordinary citizens sharing personal stories about how they have benefited from the president’s policies.
Organizers anticipate more than 50 presentations each night, keeping remarks brief to maintain momentum and facilitate social media sharing. The event will conclude with a large balloon drop, reinforcing its festival-like atmosphere. A key focal point for Trump appears to be Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton, whom the president controversially supported over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, citing Paxton’s electability in the state.
I wonder if this spectacle actually moves the needle or if voters just see it as another expensive party for the wealthy.
Did anyone else catch the mention of Todd Blanche as AG? That seems like a surprising addition to the lineup.
Wow, 50 speakers per night? I bet that gets old fast. Hard to keep attention with that many brief pitches.
A $25,000 ticket for a rally? This really highlights the exclusive nature of modern political fundraising.