WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is not scheduled for a speaking slot at the GOP’s 2026 midterm convention in Dallas this week, even as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is set to take the stage.
Thune is instead expected to focus on helping Republican candidates through Dallas fundraising events while allowing other party figures “a turn in the spotlight,” The Post has confirmed.
Johnson has been given a featured speaking role, but Thune (R-SD) will attend the convention while taking part in other events, according to a source familiar with the majority leader’s plans. Punchbowl News first reported the arrangement.
Money is expected to be a major theme of the gathering. Republican donors are being offered access to roundtables with the president, vice president and other senior party leaders for tens of thousands of dollars, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Republican National Committee has already named Johnson, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, among the convention speakers.
President Trump’s relationship with Thune has been tense at times. Trump has pushed him to pass the Save America Act, which would require voter ID and enact other election changes, while also urging him to scrap the Senate’s long-standing filibuster tradition to secure the necessary votes.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance are expected to headline the event with keynote speeches. They will be joined by Cabinet and administration officials including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
Additional speakers are also expected to be featured.
- Ex-White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
The convention — billed as “Trump-a-palooza” by RNC Chairman Joe Gruters — will also provide ample opportunity for donors and candidates in competitive races to rub elbows.
Initially, Republican candidates in competitive races had balked at being told they’d have to fork over $25,000 just to attend the convention themselves.
Even Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) in a safe Republican district called the fee “pretty steep.”
Delegates will also have to pay a hefty bill, with New York Republicans hoping to head to the floor paying $4,000 and alternate delegates paying $2,500, according to the Washington Examiner.
Contributors hoping for a glimpse of the president and vice president will have to pay even more.
A fundraising event with Trump scheduled for Wednesday is reportedly costing GOP donors up to $250,000 per ticket and $88,600 for each person who wants to take a picture with the president, The Journal reported.
Another roundtable event with Vance the following day will cost donors $75,000 per person and $35,000 for each photo taken with the vice president.
