Trump-Backed Midterm Convention in Dallas Draws Scrutiny

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Trump-Backed Midterm Convention in Dallas Draws Scrutiny

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The Republican Party convened its inaugural midterm national convention in Dallas, Texas, on September 9 and 10, 2026, aiming to energize its base and bolster support for candidates in the November midterm elections. The event, held at the American Airlines Center, marked a departure from traditional political gatherings, which typically see major parties hold large conventions only during presidential election years.

President Donald Trump played a prominent role, delivering keynote addresses on both evenings of the convention. He encouraged his supporters to treat the midterm elections as a referendum on his presidency, stating, “You’ve got to pretend I’m on the ballot. Because in a way, I’m on the ballot.” Other notable speakers included Vice President JD Vance, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton. The convention also featured various Republican lawmakers and candidates from across the country.

While Republicans declared the convention a success in unifying the party and showcasing their agenda on issues such as the economy, immigration, and crime, some observers offered a more critical assessment. There were reports of empty seats at the American Airlines Center, which has a capacity of 22,000, despite claims from some Republican figures that the arena was full. Some political strategists viewed the focus on President Trump as a risky approach for midterm elections, where the incumbent president’s party often faces headwinds. Past midterm elections, such as those in 2018 and 2022, have shown that Trump-backed candidates sometimes struggled in competitive general elections when Trump himself was not on the ballot.

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