Trump makes Dallas Republican convention a personal midterm battleground

Dallas,UPDATED: Sep 10, 2026 07:24 IST

US President Donald Trump closed the opening night of an unusual Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, using his speech to argue that Democrats are extremists and to make the coming elections largely about himself. The two-day event, described by Republicans as part rally and part fundraiser, comes as the party tries to lift enthusiasm before Election Day amid voters' economic concerns and dissatisfaction over the war in Iran.

The convention has been built heavily around Trump, even as many Republicans, including some in tight contests, have stayed away from it. At the same time, Trump's political operation has begun spending heavily through a new group, No Going Back PAC Inc, which has reserved USD 49 million in six competitive Senate races and one competitive House race, in addition to the USD 10 million that MAGA Inc has spent on the Texas Senate race.

In his address, Trump warned against a Democratic victory. "If we hand America's future to the radical-left Democrats, our nation will spend the next decade just getting back on its feet. It'll be a tragedy," he said. "Vote Republican and we will leave the world in our dust for generations to come." Much of the convention's message cast Democrats as too left wing, with speakers describing them as communists, anti-American or even evil, while Republicans presented themselves as a "common sense" alternative seeking to retain control of Congress.

Trump also signalled that he saw the event becoming a regular fixture. "I'm sure it will become a staple in the years to come," he said. He is speaking on both nights of the convention, giving the keynote address on Wednesday and returning on Thursday after Vice President J D Vance speaks.

The opening night also featured an unexpected video message from Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, who said, "I'm always going to reject the extremes and socialism". Fetterman, who has clashed with his party's leaders, referred to Pennsylvania's steel industry and said he would "work with President Trump to fight and defend the steel way of life".

The event itself reflected Trump's dominance over the gathering. Republican Committee Chair Joe Gruters asked the crowd, "Do we love President Trump?" and had promoted the convention as "a Trump-a-Palooza". The walls of the basketball arena where the Dallas Mavericks play were covered with photographs of Trump, including in the lifts. Attendees wore cowboy hats, boots, sequins, "Make America Great Again" caps and American flag gear, while some waved signs that read, "Republicans Are Fixing Democrats' Mess", despite Republicans controlling the House, Senate and presidency.

Before leaving for Dallas on Air Force One, Trump said of the crowd, "Looks very big. Looks very exciting." Early in the programme, however, speeches were delivered to many empty seats, including near the stage. The crowd largely filled in before Trump's speech, though parts of the upper decks remained sparsely occupied.

Trump also touched on oil prices, which have risen because of the Iran war, and said they were unlikely to come down before the midterms. "Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward," he promised. Oil prices rose more than 3 per cent on Wednesday.

Ray Washburne, co-chair of the Dallas host committee, said at a pre-convention event hosted by Bloomberg News that Trump enjoys such events. "Look, he's an entertainer, right? He obviously loves big, big events and his career has been built around that," Washburne said. "He's always front and center." Washburne said the convention was expected to draw about 30,000 people over both nights, though attracting airtime could be difficult with the NFL season opening on Wednesday and more matches scheduled on Thursday.

Speakers on the first night included Republican congressional leaders and Cabinet members such as Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. Attorney General Todd Blanche also spoke, an unusual move for the country's top law enforcement official because Justice Department leaders do not usually address such political events. Blanche said Trump and Vance "put American families first. They prove that order and prosperity go hand in hand".

Key candidates are also being given speaking slots. Republican Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers, who is contesting against Abdul El-Sayed, was scheduled to speak on Thursday night. Even before that, several opening-night speakers pointed to El-Sayed as proof, in their view, that Democrats had moved too far left. Overall, the first night of the Dallas convention mixed campaign messaging, fundraising and stagecraft, while underlining how strongly Republicans are centring their midterm push around Trump.

With PTI Inputs

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