Trump turns Dallas Republican convention into midterm campaign spectacle

Republicans opened a rare midterm convention in Dallas with Donald Trump at its centre. The show underscores the party's bid to fire up voters even as many candidates keep their distance.

In Short

• Party leaders framed Democrats as extreme while promoting a common-sense Republican pitch
• Trump-backed groups booked USD 47 million across seven competitive congressional races
• Oil surged above USD 100 after Trump linked prices to Iran war

Republicans opened an unusual midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, turning the two-day event into a show centred on President Donald Trump as the party heads into the final stretch of this autumn's elections. The gathering, part rally and part fundraiser, comes as Republicans try to lift enthusiasm despite Trump's low approval ratings.

While some candidates hope appearing with Trump will help them reach his supporters, many others, including those in tight contests, are staying away. Some cited prior commitments, while others were unhappy about having to pay for access.

Organisers have made clear that Trump will dominate the event. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters told Spectrum News, "It's gonna be a Trump-a-Palooza." Trump, speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One for Dallas, said: "We're going to have a tremendous crowd tonight." He added, "Looks very big. Looks very exciting, and we're going to explain what we've done."

The convention's programme is heavily focused on attacking Democrats, with Republicans seeking to portray them as extremists by highlighting the party's insurgent left wing, while presenting themselves as the party of "common sense". The organisers have planned 12 hours of programming over two nights, with more than 100 speakers and segments on tax cuts, fraud allegations, border security and a proposed ban on members of Congress trading stocks. The public schedule does not mention the unpopular Iran war.

At the same time, Trump's political operation has begun a large new spending push. The New York Times first reported on Wednesday that the No Going Back PAC Inc, a new group backed by Trump's operation, has reserved USD 47 million in six competitive Senate races and one competitive House race. That is in addition to the USD 10 million that MAGA Inc, Trump's super PAC, has spent on the Texas Senate race.

Trump is due to speak on both nights of the convention, first with a keynote address on Wednesday and again on Thursday after J D Vance gives his own speech. Normal political conventions are held every four years and formally nominate presidential candidates. In 2024, Trump used that stage to announce Vance as his running mate. Ray Washburne, co-chair of the Dallas host committee, said at a Bloomberg News event: "Look, he's an entertainer, right? He obviously loves big, big events and his career has been built around that. He's always front and centre."

Trump also told reporters that oil prices, which he said had surged because of the Iran war, were unlikely to fall before the midterms. "Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward," he said. His remarks came as oil prices rose more than 3 per cent on Wednesday, pushing international Brent crude above USD 100.

Other speakers include members of the Republican congressional leadership and Cabinet, among them Attorney General Todd Blanche and Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Donald Trump Jr is also on the roster. Candidates due to address the convention include Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers, who is running against Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, and North Carolina Senate nominee Michael Whatley, who is contesting a race against former governor Roy Cooper.

Even so, many Republicans are not attending. An Associated Press survey of more than four dozen Republican candidates found that a majority either did not plan to go, said their plans were undecided, or did not respond. Kentucky Representative James Comer told NewsNation, "I had stuff already planned in my congressional district or I would be there." Georgia Representative Buddy Carter said on Fox Business, "Well, unfortunately, I have a family obligation, so I won't be able to be there."

Some lawmakers were also put off by the cost. Republican House members were asked to pay USD 25,000 for convention tickets and lodging, according to people familiar with the arrangement who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another 2,000 tickets were distributed by the House GOP's campaign arm, largely to donors and others, while state parties were given separate allocations to distribute. House Speaker Mike Johnson said some members of his caucus would stay home to campaign, though many would still appear in Dallas. "We'll parade our stars across the stage," he said.

The convention has therefore opened as a high-profile Republican push built around Trump, with the party hoping to energise supporters before the midterms even as several candidates choose to keep their distance.

With PTI Inputs

- Ends