Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Trump Takes Center Stage at Dallas Republican Convention Amid Risks
Republicans held a large political meeting in Dallas before the November 3 elections.
The meeting focused strongly on President Donald Trump.
Republicans hope Trump will encourage his supporters to vote.
They also want to keep control of Congress.
Some Republican candidates did not attend because they worry Trump could hurt them with voters who dislike his presidency.
Speakers praised Republican policies on immigration, taxes, manufacturing and prescription drug prices.
They also warned that Democrats are too far to the left.
Democrats said Republicans were not doing enough to lower everyday costs.
The convention competed for television viewers with the opening games of the NFL season.
Republicans opened their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, making Donald Trump the event’s central figure.
The party hopes Trump will energize supporters and help preserve Republican control of Congress on November 3.
At least 16 candidates in competitive races were scheduled to speak, but several—including Tom Barrett and Susan Collins—skipped the gathering.
Republicans promoted tax cuts, immigration enforcement, manufacturing and lower prescription drug prices while attacking Democrats as too far left.
Democrats accused Republicans of ignoring inflation and rising living costs while holding an event for Trump and wealthy donors.
- Who
- The Republican Party, President Donald Trump, Republican candidates, Democratic critics led by Hakeem Jeffries, and Democratic Senator John Fetterman, who addressed the gathering by video.
- What
- Republicans held their first-ever midterm convention, presenting it as a rally centered on Trump and the party’s congressional candidates.
- When
- The two-day convention began Wednesday, September 9, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
- Where
- The convention took place at the 21,000-seat American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
- Why
- Republicans aimed to energize their base, promote their record and retain congressional majorities despite Trump’s low approval ratings, inflation concerns and the war with Iran.
Republican Position
Democratic Criticism
Purpose of the convention
Republican Position
Republicans presented the gathering as a way to energize voters, promote candidates and highlight their positions on affordability, immigration and healthcare.
Democratic Criticism
Democrats said Republicans were holding a celebration for Trump and wealthy donors instead of addressing Americans’ rising living costs.
Trump’s electoral role
Republican Position
Republican leaders described Trump as the party’s strongest messenger and argued that his support could motivate core voters to participate.
Democratic Criticism
Some Republican candidates and analysts worried that association with Trump could damage candidates in competitive races because of his low approval ratings and broader voter dissatisfaction.
Political record and priorities
Republican Position
Republicans planned to promote tax cuts, immigration enforcement, increased manufacturing and lower prescription drug prices while portraying Democrats as dangerously far left.
Democratic Criticism
Democrats argued that Republicans had failed to take meaningful steps to lower costs and described the economy as unsuccessful.
- Event
- Republican Party’s first-ever convention specifically for a midterm election
- Location
- American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
- Duration
- Two days
- Election date
- November 3
- Main speaker
- Donald Trump was scheduled to speak both nights
- Election stakes
- Republicans risk losing control of at least one chamber of Congress
- Attendance
- More than 100 House members and candidates were expected, with over 50 speakers or presentations each night
- Forecast
- Decision Desk HQ projected Democrats to win the House 230-205 and the Senate 51-49
