President Donald Trump headlined the Republican National Committee's first ever midterm convention this week in Dallas, Texas, an event organized to energize the party's base ahead of November's congressional elections. Vice President JD Vance and other party leaders joined Trump at the gathering.
Speaking for close to two hours to an energetic crowd, Trump proposed what he called a Trump Dividend, a $5,000 payment to every American adult that he said would follow if Republicans retain control of Congress in the midterms. He said he intended to travel to every state with a competitive Republican congressional race to campaign for candidates in the run up to the election.
During his remarks, Trump highlighted figures on border crossings and drug seizures that his administration says show significant declines in illegal immigration and fentanyl entering the country since he returned to office. He described his administration's approach as ending what he termed an era of managed decline, pointing to his border, energy, and economic policies.
The midterm convention format itself was new. Political conventions have traditionally been reserved for presidential election years, and organizers described the Dallas gathering as the first of its kind for any American political party. Trump later described the event on social media as a sold out success. The convention comes as both parties look ahead to a competitive set of House and Senate races that will determine control of Congress for the second half of Trump's term.
Both parties are expected to ramp up campaign travel and advertising in the coming weeks as the midterm election approaches in November.
What is a midterm convention?
It is a large party gathering held in a non presidential election year, a format organizers say has not been used before by a major American political party.