The Republican Party has opened a rare two-day midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, placing President Donald Trump at the center of an event billed as unprecedented in American political history.
The convention is being held at the American Airlines Center, a venue capable of holding around 20,000 spectators, on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10. Sessions run from 3pm to 9pm Central Time each day.
Trump is scheduled to speak on both nights, delivering the closing keynote on Thursday between 8pm and 9pm Central Time. Vice President JD Vance will close out the first night.
The Republican National Committee has described the gathering as "a first in American political history." Large party conventions in the United States have traditionally been held only before presidential elections, focused on the nominating process. Democrats experimented with midterm conventions in the 1970s and early 1980s before abandoning the format.
With no presidential nomination at stake, the Dallas event has taken the shape of a large-scale campaign rally and fundraiser. The RNC has promised "a primetime showcase for President Trump's success, candidates, and causes that have propelled the 2026 midterms to unprecedented focus."
The official programme lists 53 speakers and items on the first night and 56 on the second. Night one will address tax cuts, healthcare affordability, immigration, border policy, trade and domestic manufacturing. Night two will focus on affordability and family issues, including policies on tips, overtime and Social Security.
Republicans are heading into the midterms with a president whose approval ratings are under significant pressure. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump's approval rating at 33%. A separate FT/Focaldata poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans believe the economy is heading in the wrong direction, and 57 percent say their personal financial situation has worsened since Trump returned to office.
Polls also show Democratic voters are considerably more energized ahead of the November 3 vote. Nearly half of Democratic supporters say they are especially enthusiastic about the midterms, compared with 31 percent of Republicans.
Trump has argued publicly that his personal involvement is essential to driving Republican turnout. "The problem that we have is they say that Trump does great when he's on the ballot," he said at a recent campaign rally, speaking in the third person. "But when he's not on the ballot, his people don't come and they don't vote."
"So, what I really want you to do is pretend please, that I am on the ballot," Trump added. "Just come and vote. It's so important."
Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. A loss of either chamber would significantly constrain Trump's ability to advance his agenda in the final two years of his second term. Shifting public opinion has put Senate control increasingly in play, though Democrats still face a difficult path to an upset.
Not all Republican candidates have embraced the convention. A survey of more than 70 Republican candidates and lawmakers found considerable reluctance. Many in competitive districts have kept their distance, concerned that close association with the president could mobilize opposition voters and alienate moderates.
According to an analysis of race ratings from the Cook Political Report, fewer than half of Republican candidates in competitive House and Senate races are listed as convention speakers.
Republican Representative Zach Nunn of Iowa, who faces a toss-up race for reelection, told reporters he would not attend. "We're going to be back in our district, working hard," he said.
Vance pushed back on concerns about low candidate attendance. "The president and I can go and make the argument on national TV," he said at a White House press briefing. "We don't need a congressman in a tight race to be there in all cases."
The convention also faces a scheduling challenge. Wednesday night's proceedings compete directly with the NFL season opener, a rematch of the most recent Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. A primetime football game is also scheduled on Thursday.
Among the featured speakers are Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whom Trump has endorsed for a Senate seat over the Republican incumbent. Paxton currently faces a significant campaign cash deficit.
The convention programme includes segments titled "Two Visions for America" and "The Opposition Contrast," framing Democrats as a threat to Trump's policy record. Notably, the Iran war — a major factor cited in polls measuring Trump's declining approval — features minimally in the announced programme despite being among the 109 listed items and speakers.
