Trump Headlines First GOP Midterm Convention in Dallas Tonight

Republicans open a first-of-its-kind midterm convention Wednesday at American Airlines Center in Dallas, with President Donald Trump scheduled to deliver the opening-night keynote and speak again Thursday. Vice President JD Vance is slated for the Thursday keynote. The two-day program is not a nominating convention and has no official party business. Organizers describe it as a primetime showcase of the administration’s record and a turnout rally for House, Senate, and gubernatorial candidates two months before Nov. 3. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters has called the gathering a “Trump-a-Palooza.” Official programming runs roughly 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Central each night, with earlier blocks starting around 3 p.m. C-SPAN is carrying complete coverage.

The RNC lists 109 speakers and segments across the two nights. Cabinet and administration names on the program include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, and HUD Secretary Scott Turner. Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Donald Trump Jr. are also scheduled. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, NRSC Chair Tim Scott, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and other conference leaders have slots. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not on the public lineup. Texas officials and candidates include Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Attorney General and Senate nominee Ken Paxton, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Reps. Monica De La Cruz and Brandon Gill, and several South Texas House nominees. Other Senate nominees on the schedule include Michigan’s Mike Rogers and North Carolina’s Michael Whatley. MAGA Inc. sent $10 million last weekend to Paxton’s Senate race.

Hourly blocks released by the party focus on working-family tax cuts, including no tax on tips, overtime, and Social Security; the Working Families Tax Cuts Act; HUD fraud crackdowns; healthcare costs and rural health funding; the SAVE America Act and voter ID; border security; a proposed ban on members of Congress trading stocks; and a contrast the organizers label “Two Visions for America.” Night two includes a tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and a 9/11 first-responder segment before Trump’s closing remarks. Gruters said the convention will “highlight President Trump’s many accomplishments” and contrast Republican policy with Democratic nominees the party describes as far-left. Some House members plan to skip Dallas to campaign at home; Johnson said many will still appear. Guests pick up tickets at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and ride shuttles to the arena. Organizers have cited an expected crowd of about 20,000 each night. Trump originally had one speaking slot; the RNC later put him on both nights.

Editor’s note: RWT News is in Dallas covering the convention. Organizers initially had us slated for a creator deck that would sit front and center. On arrival, that space had been moved to the rear after local media purchased it at the last minute. We will still be on site reporting, with more roaming coverage than the static stage view originally planned.