Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) will not have a speaking role at the Republican Party's 2026 midterm convention in Dallas, a departure from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who is scheduled to address the gathering. Thune is expected to focus on assisting candidates with fundraising efforts and participating in other events, according to a source familiar with his plans. The convention, which Punchbowl News first reported on Thune's speaking status, is set to heavily emphasize fundraising, with opportunities for donors to engage with party leaders.
Republican donors are being offered opportunities to attend roundtables with the president and vice president for significant sums, with some ticket prices reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Fundraising events featuring President Trump are reportedly priced as high as $250,000 per ticket, and up to $88,600 for a photo with the president. A roundtable with Vice President J.D. Vance is set at $75,000 per person, with an additional $35,000 for a photo opportunity.
Other prominent Republicans scheduled to speak at the convention include Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). President Trump and Vice President Vance are slated to deliver keynote addresses. 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 CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, are also listed as speakers.
The convention, referred to as "Trump-a-palooza" by RNC Chairman Joe Gruters, will also feature other speakers such as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump Jr., House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC), Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), as well as Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Jason Smith (R-Mo.), and Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.).
The event has also drawn attention for its cost to attendees. Initially, Republican candidates in competitive races expressed reservations about a $25,000 fee to attend the convention themselves. Even Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) described the fee as "pretty steep." Delegates face their own costs, with New York Republicans planning to attend paying $4,000 and alternate delegates $2,500, according to the Washington Examiner. ![House Speaker Mike Johnson speaking at a press conference.]( "Signage for the "DALLAS 2026" Republican Midterm Convention outside the American Airlines Center.")