Republicans are gathering in Dallas on Wednesday for a highly unusual midterm convention, a “Trump-a-Palooza” that will put President Donald Trump at the center of this fall’s midterm elections — whether the candidates running like it or not.
Many party members, including those facing tight races, are skipping the two-day affair, citing conflicting obligations or balking at demands that they pony up for access. Others are hoping an appearance alongside Trump will put them in the national spotlight as they work to turn out his voters without him on the ballot.
The convention, which is part rally and part fundraiser, comes as Republicans try to boost enthusiasm heading into the midterms’ final stretch despite Trump’s low approval ratings. Organizers have cast it as “a primetime showcase for President Trump’s success, candidates, and causes that have propelled the 2026 midterms to unprecedented focus.” Much of the programming will focus on Democrats, trying to cast them as extremists by highlighting the party’s insurgent left wing.
Where is the RNC Midterm Convention taking place?
The Republican National Committee will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas over two days: Wednesday, Sept. 9, and Thursday, Sept. 10.
Party officials have outlined six hours of programming each day, running from 3 p.m. CT to 9 p.m. CT.
The lineup features Trump and more Trump
Normal political conventions are held every four years and serve a purpose beyond pomp and circumstance, with parties formally nominating their presidential picks. In 2024, Trump used the opportunity to announce JD Vance as his running mate.
The schedule this week released by organizers makes clear that the convention will be the Trump Show, through and through.
“It’s gonna be a Trump-a-Palooza,” RNC Chairman Joe Gruters told Spectrum News.
The president will be speaking both nights, delivering a keynote address on Wednesday night and speaking again Thursday after Vance to close out the event. He had originally been scheduled for only one speaking slot.
Also addressing the convention will be members of the Republican congressional leadership and Cabinet members including Attorney General Todd Blanche and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The president’s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., is on the roster, too.
Candidates who will speak include Michigan Senate nominee Mike Rogers, who is running a high-profile race against Abdul El-Sayed, and North Carolina Senate nominee Michael Whatley, who is up against former Gov. Roy Cooper.
Organizers have outlined 12 hours of programming over the two nights that will include more than 100 speakers and segments focused on subjects like tax cuts, fraud allegations, border security and a proposed ban on members of Congress trading stocks.
Missing from the public lineup: any mention of the unpopular war with Iran.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said some members of his caucus plan to skip Dallas, preferring to stay home and campaign for reelection, but many of them will make an appearance.
“We’ll parade our stars across the stage,” he said.
What is the schedule for Day 1?
3 p.m. CT to 4 p.m. CT
- Joe Gruters, Republican National Committee Chairman
- Heather Washburne, President of the Host Committee
- Pastor Jack Graham, Senior Pastor Prestonwood Baptist Church
- Texas Rep. Monica De La Cruz
- Carlos De La Cruz, Texas candidate for U.S. House
- Everyday American, Former Democrat turned America First Grassroots Leader
- Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner
- Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna
- Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden
4 p.m CT – 5 p.m CT
- Everyday Americans, Border Residents and Supporters of Frontline Law Enforcement
- House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise
- House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer
- Michael Whatley, North Carolina candidate for U.S. Senate
- Everyday Americans, Medical Professionals
- South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott
- Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Republican Attorneys General Association
- Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso
5 p.m CT – 6 p.m CT
- Texas Rep. Brandon Gill
- Pastor Lorenzo Sewell
- Paul Perez, President of the National Border Patrol Council & Members of the NBPC
- Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton
- Pennsylvania Rep. Rob Bresnahan
- Everyday American, Factory Worker, Working Mother, and Manufacturing Success Story
- Everyday American, Retiree and Senior Tax-Relief Beneficiary
6 p.m CT – 7 p.m CT
- Ohio Sen. Jon Husted
- T.W. Shannon, Candidate for Lt. Governor of Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick
- Everyday Americans, Factory Workers, Steel Union Members, and Ship Builders
- Mike LiPetri, New York Republican candidate for U.S. House
- Georgia Rep. and Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins
- Attorney General Todd Blanche
7 p.m CT – 8 p.m CT
- CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz
- Florida Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds
- Former NFL player and Arizona Republican candidate for U.S. House Jay Feely
- Michigan congressional candidate Mike Bouchard Jr.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Everyday American, Working Mother and Economic Policy Advocate
8 p.m CT – 9 p.m CT
- President Donald Trump
Republicans will rally the troops in Dallas next week in an effort to keep control of Washington, D.C. NBC 5’s Phil Prazan talked with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker about the reason for this historic event.
Who is skipping the event?
An Associated Press survey of more than four dozen Republican candidates found a majority either planned not to attend, said their plans were to be determined or ignored requests for comment.
“I had stuff already planned in my congressional district or I would be there,” Kentucky Rep. James Comer told NewsNation. “Got a lot going on back in Kentucky, so my time is needed there.”
“Well, unfortunately, I have a family obligation, so I won’t be able to be there,” Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter said on Fox Business.
According to an NBC News count, 33 House Republicans have said they won’t attend. Among those not going to Dallas are Reps. Tom Barrett of Michigan, Jeff Hurd of Colorado, María Elvira Salazar of Florida and Rob Wittman of Virginia.
Some members balked at high attendance fees. Republican House members were being asked to pay $25,000 for convention tickets and lodging, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to speak frankly about the private arrangement.
An additional 2,000 tickets were distributed by the House GOP’s campaign arm, largely to donors and others to attend the convention. Other tickets were allocated to state parties to distribute as they saw fit.
“Per the RNC, this is a ticketed fundraiser and rally, not a traditional national convention,” the Denton County Republican Party in Texas wrote in a Facebook post, which advertised packages from $5,000 to $20,000.
The Republican Party of Virginia was offering a relative discount of $1,000 to $1,500, not including accommodations, according to an email obtained by the AP.
Despite the many no-shows, more than 100 Republican House members and candidates are expected to be in Dallas, including almost all of the MAGA Majority class of candidates in the most targeted congressional districts, according to a person familiar with the event who requested anonymity before it begins.
“It’s like any political convention, it’s no different than the traditional RNC,” said Matt Beynon, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry, who won his district by barely 1 percentage point in 2024 with Trump on the ballot. “Obviously, you’re out of the district, but it’s a really good opportunity to get in front of people” and “talk to the press.”
It remains unclear what kind of air time the convention will receive. The two nights of programming will coincide with the launch of football season. The NFL season is set to kick off Wednesday with a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. And on Thursday, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will be playing an international game in Australia.
