President Donald Trump arrived at an unprecedented midterm Republican convention as he works to energize GOP voters and boost his party’s prospects of holding Congress in November, leaning heavily on attacks aimed at casting Democrats as unfit for power.
In classic Trump style, the president took the stage to Lee Greenwood’s live performance of “God Bless the USA,” opening the first night of the Dallas gathering with a dramatic entrance. Trump is expected to headline both nights of the convention.
He began his remarks by reviving his false claim that he won the 2020 election, telling the crowd, “We won the presidency three times.”
Yet the lineup of attendees and speakers offered a revealing snapshot of Trump’s weakened standing inside parts of his own party.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not scheduled to speak, an omission that comes after Trump voiced frustration with the South Dakota Republican over stalled elements of his agenda, even as other House and Senate leaders were given speaking slots.
A number of Republicans running in some of the nation’s most closely watched contests are also avoiding the main stage. They include Maine Senator Susan Collins, Iowa Senate candidate Rep. Ashley Hinson, and John E. Sununu, the GOP nominee seeking to turn New Hampshire’s Senate seat red.
Most election analysts expect Democrats to have a strong chance of recapturing the U.S. House of Representatives, while the fight for the Senate appears more uncertain. Key races in Maine, Ohio, Michigan and Alaska are likely to play a decisive role in determining which party controls the chamber.
Trump’s journey to Texas was delayed Wednesday after his new Qatari-gifted Air Force One deployed its emergency evacuation slide.
His keynote has competition too. The NFL season kicks off the same night with the New England Patriots at the Seattle Seahawks, a rematch of February’s Super Bowl.
US President Donald Trump shakes hands with attendees as he arrives to speak during the Republican National Midterm Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on September 9, 2026
People pause during the program on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center on September 09, 2026 in Dallas, Texas
Some seats were empty at the opening of the first day of the Midterm Republican National Convention (RNC) as crowds waited outside in 95 degree heat to enter the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on September 9th, 2026
US Air Force personnel remove an emergency inflatable slide after it deployed on Air Force One before President Donald Trump arrived to board it on his way to Dallas
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Joe Gruters holds up a giant gavel as he speaks on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention
20,000 convention attendees descended upon Dallas to take part in the historic midterm gathering.
Yet, not all of the party faithful were excited about the event.
One GOP lobbyist told Politico Playbook, ‘the vibes are very bad,’ while two others remarked that Trump will be competing for attention with the start of the NFL season.
House lawmakers including Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin were early speakers on Wednesday’s slate.
Luna attacked Democrats for their history of self-serving stock trading, and Van Orden boosted Trump’s Rural Healthcare plan.
US Senate nominees including Ken Paxton of Texas, Michael Whatley of North Carolina, and Mike Collins of Georgia are expected to speak, as is incumbent Ohio Senator Jon Husted.
Trump’s cabinet secretaries including Brooke Rollins, Scott Bessent, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and even Attorney General Todd Blanche are on the agenda as well.
The two day event will also include a tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated while speaking on the campus of Utah Valley University last September. The 25th anniversary of 9-11, taking place on Friday, will also be commemorated during Thursday’s programming at the convention.
