President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance are set to close out the first-ever Republican midterm convention on Thursday night in Dallas, following a dramatic opening day that featured an unprecedented pledge from the commander in chief.
During his 1-hour and 44-minute speech on Wednesday, Trump promised to distribute a $5,000 cash dividend to every American adult, contingent upon the Republican Party retaining control of both the House and the Senate in November’s midterm elections. The proposal has drawn scrutiny due to its massive fiscal impact and legal complications; calculations suggest the payout would exceed $1 trillion, and federal law prohibits paying individuals to influence voting outcomes.
“If the Republicans win, you win with us,” Trump told the crowd. “And it will be called the ‘Trump dividend.'” He later acknowledged the political risks, stating, “We might not win,” as Republicans face significant headwinds in the upcoming election cycle.
The convention, conceived by Trump to energize the party base, served as a rally-style event where the president defended his administration’s policies, including the Iran war, and criticized Democratic opponents as extremists. He also engaged in personal attacks, notably criticizing the fashion choices of one Republican Senate candidate. Trump urged voters to treat the midterms with the same urgency as a presidential election.
“Please pretend that I’m running,” Trump said. “If we don’t have the majorities, so much can be lost.”
Thursday’s program will feature Trump sharing the stage with Vice President Vance for the final hour of remarks. The evening will also include tributes to the late activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated one year prior, and observances marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Other speakers are expected to include former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump Jr., and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Throughout the two-day event, 19 Republicans in competitive House and Senate races delivered short stump speeches. However, the focus remained squarely on Trump, who promised to visit key districts in states with close races. The convention highlighted a shifting dynamic within the party, as Trump noted that by the 2028 convention, he will no longer be the central figure, with a new nominee poised to lead the GOP.
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