Trump's unusual role at midterm convention revealed as schedule goes public
The Republican National Committee has finalized the schedule for its inaugural midterm convention in Dallas, placing President Donald Trump at the center of the festivities as the primetime headliner for both nights.
The event, hosted at the American Airlines Center in downtown Texas, kicks off with Trump delivering the keynote address on Wednesday evening, which is tentatively set to begin at 9 p.m. ET. He will return on Thursday night to close out the convention, speaking after Vice President JD Vance delivers the second night's keynote speech.
With the midterm elections approaching in less than two months, Republicans are gathering for this historic confab to rally the party's base. Traditionally, supporters of the president do not demonstrate the same enthusiasm when he is not on the ballot. While Democrats and Republicans usually reserve their large nominating conventions for presidential election years, Trump proposed a similar gathering last year to showcase the policy achievements secured by him and congressional Republicans over the past two years. He previously praised the event as "a truly Historic Event" and "a RALLY like none other!"
The convention arrives as the GOP defends its narrow majorities in the House and Senate against energized Democrats and significant political headwinds. Republicans intend to use the gathering to draw a sharp contrast, focusing on what they view as the Democratic Party's shift to the far left. RNC Chair Joe Gruters argued that the midterms are about the nation's future, stating, "President Donald Trump and Republicans are fighting to launch the golden age of America while extreme liberal Democrats want to tear this country apart and create a liberal failed state with their out-of-touch and anti-American views." He added that "the choice is clear in November and the American people will reject these liberal policies and deliver historic wins for Republicans across the country."
The Democratic National Committee, which is currently in debt and opted against holding a comparable convention, is using the occasion to criticize the GOP. DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer charged, "While everyday Americans struggle to pay their bills, fill up their tanks, or put food on the table, Republicans are hosting a multi-million dollar celebration to satisfy an aging and erratic Trump and tie vulnerable Republican candidates closer to his failed agenda." Witmer emphasized, "Americans don’t want a 'Trumpapalooza' — they want lower costs and affordable healthcare."
The convention will also serve as the GOP's closing argument heading into November, featuring a packed roster of Senate and House candidates in competitive races. On Wednesday night, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the race to replace retiring Sen. John Cornyn, will address the crowd. He will be joined by former RNC Chair Mike Whatley, who is defending retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis' seat in North Carolina. Also scheduled to speak Wednesday are House Republicans in tight contests, including Reps. Monica De La Cruz of Texas, Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, and Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, along with candidates Mike LiPetri of New York and Jay Feely of Arizona. Cabinet members Attorney General Todd Blanche and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are also slated for Wednesday evening.
Thursday evening brings a heavy lineup of prominent figures, starting with Vance's keynote followed by Trump's closing remarks. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who is running for a fourth term, and Sen. Ted Cruz, the conservative firebrand who could make a second White House bid in 2028, are also set to speak. Senate candidates appearing include Ohio's Sen. Jon Husted, who is in a pitched fight with former longtime Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, and Georgia's Rep. Mike Collins, the Republican challenger taking on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, hoping to flip a Democrat-held open seat in the key Great Lakes battleground, will also address the delegates.
In the House races, incumbents and candidates in close contests speaking on Thursday include Reps. Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania and Mike Lawler of New York, along with nominees Greg Cunningham of New Mexico, Derrick Merrin of Ohio, and Eric Flores of Texas. Speaker Mike Johnson is also scheduled to speak Thursday evening. Notably absent from the released speaker list is Senate Majority Leader John Thune, though a source familiar with the planning indicated the South Dakota Republican will be in Dallas with a full schedule that includes helping Senate candidates fundraise. The Thursday agenda will also feature Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who spearheaded the Make America Healthy Again movement.