US Republicans are holding an extraordinary two-day convention in Dallas starting Wednesday, putting President Donald Trump at its centre despite his low approval ratings of 33%. Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats will win the House 230-205 and the Senate 51-49. The convention, dubbed "Trumpapalooza", aims to persuade Trump's supporters that he is essentially on the ballot in November's midterms. Trump will deliver keynotes on both nights at the American Airlines Centre, but experts question whether his presence can overcome Republican weaknesses amid inflation woes and other issues.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
President Donald Trump's midterms convention, a two-day event in Dallas, Texas, has become a focus of attention as Republicans gather to boost enthusiasm ahead of the November elections. However, the event is facing challenges, including low attendance from top Republican leaders, with some citing conflicting obligations or concerns about being associated with an unpopular president.
Only 45 GOP lawmakers are expected to attend, and at least 10 have already skipped the convention, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) who has opted out of making a speech but will still be attending. The convention is also notable for its lackluster seating arrangements, with New York's delegation placed in a less prominent location than usual.
The event, dubbed "Trump-a-Palooza," is intended to rally voters around Trump's record despite his low approval ratings. However, some Republicans are expressing concerns about the timing and focus of the convention, which comes as the party faces increasingly grim forecasts for elections that could cost it control of Congress.
In response, Democrats have announced plans to counterprogram the event, sending their top messengers to highlight the affordability crisis and expose what they call "Trump Cartel corruption." The Democratic National Committee has also criticized the Republicans' decision to hold a midterm convention, calling it a "waste of time" when voters are already making up their minds.
Written for “Trump's Midterm Convention” on 2026-09-09,
grounded in this article and the 22 other(s) covering the same event.
Trump delivers Wednesday's keynote and returns for Thursday's finale after Vice President JD Vance speaks.
asserted
Vance → deliver → finale
Cabinet members and candidates in closely watched House and Senate races are also on the programme.
asserted
members → watch → programme
US Republicans open an extraordinary midterm convention in Dallas later on Wednesday betting that putting Donald Trump at the centre of their campaign can rescue a party facing grim election forecasts, despite the president's deeply negative approval ratings.
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putting → open → ratings
The two-day gathering, dubbed "Trumpapalooza," is designed to persuade the Republican leader's supporters that he is effectively on the ballot on 3 November, when Republicans risk losing the House of Representatives and face a fierce fight to retain the Senate.
"So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot," Trump said recently at a rally in South Carolina.
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Trump → dub → Carolina
Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats to win the House 230-205 and the Senate to finish 51-49 in their favour, revising its 50-50 prediction as the outlook continues to worsen for Republicans.
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outlook → project → Republicans
Trump, whose approval rating stood at just 33% in recent polling, will speak on both convention nights at the American Airlines Centre.
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rating → stand → Centre
His challenge is to mobilise voters personally loyal to him without further alienating independents already souring on his presidency amid inflation woes, gasoline prices topping $4 (€3.40) a gallon and the continuing war with Iran.
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challenge → mobilise → Iran
"Many Trump supporters only vote when he's on the ballot," Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America, told the AFP news agency.
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Green → vote → agency
So, in that respect, it makes some sense to feature Trump in the hopes of getting those folks to turn out in November.
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folks → make → November
"
But Green was sceptical that asking those supporters to imagine Trump on their ballots could overcome his broader weakness.
uncertain
asking → ask → weakness
"When you're in the low- to mid-30s, that's traditionally associated with a very bad midterm for your party," he said of the 80-year-old's approval ratings.
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he → associate → ratings
Trump show
The gathering is the first Republican national convention held specifically for a midterm election, although Democrats experimented with similar meetings in the 1970s and 1980s.
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Democrats → show → 1970s
No candidates will be nominated and no formal party business is planned.
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business → nominate → ?
Instead, organisers have constructed what amounts to a two-night television rally touting Trump's record and Republican candidates.
More than 100 House members and candidates are expected, with over 50 speakers or presentations scheduled each night.
Trump delivers Wednesday's keynote and returns for Thursday's finale after Vice President JD Vance speaks.
asserted
Vance → construct → finale
Cabinet members, congressional leaders and candidates in closely watched House and Senate races are also on the programme.
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members → watch → programme
Republicans plan to highlight tax cuts, immigration enforcement, manufacturing and prescription drug prices, while depicting Democrats as dangerously far to the left.
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Republicans → plan → left
Some Republicans, however, are privately hoping Trump sticks to that script rather than the personal grievances and off-message subjects that regularly dominate his appearances.
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that → hop → appearances
Staying home
Not everyone is coming.
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everyone → stay → ?
Numerous lawmakers in competitive races have decided that, less than two months from Election Day, their time is better spent campaigning at home.
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time → decide → home
Green said vulnerable Republicans have two reasons to keep their distance: Trump's unpopularity and the cost of losing precious days in their districts.
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Republicans → say → districts
"If you are a Republican running in a swing district, you probably want to get as much distance from Trump as possible," he said.
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he → run → Trump
House Speaker Mike Johnson has acknowledged the dilemma, saying some members need to remain home because it is a "critical time" immediately before early voting accelerates nationwide.
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voting → acknowledge → dilemma
Republicans who do attend have also been asked to contribute at least $25,000 (€21,000) for tickets and lodging.
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who → attend → tickets
The event doubles as a huge fundraising opportunity, with a Trump roundtable priced at $250,000 (€214,000) per person and photographs with the president offered for $88,600 (€76,126).
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event → double → 88,600
And even Trump's promised national television showcase faces an unusually formidable rival: both convention nights coincide with the opening games of the NFL season.
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nights → promise → season
"Spending three or four days away from your district to go to a convention is not a good way to spend your time if you're facing a tight re-election," Green added.
asserted
Green → spend → election
