Donald Trump has arrived in Dallas, Texas, to inaugurate a rare midterm convention, an event largely designed to highlight his central role in the Republican Party as the 2026 election cycle approaches. The two-day gathering, scheduled for Thursday and Friday, marks the first such convention since 1982, a previous iteration that proved unsuccessful.
Unlike traditional presidential-year conventions focused on candidate selection and party platform development, this event is described as resembling a multi-day "GOP infomercial," with Trump himself slated for prime speaking slots on both evenings. Republican National Committee leadership has explicitly billed the convention as a "Trumpapalooza."
This concentrated focus on Trump comes as recent polling indicates a dip in his approval ratings, with his overall popularity near record lows, a situation that could potentially affect Republican candidates nationwide. Some Republican candidates are reportedly opting to avoid the convention, while those in attendance may find limited benefit from its Trump-centric nature.
Trump's involvement in the midterms extends beyond the convention. His super PAC, MAGA Inc., has substantial financial resources, with approximately $400 million on hand. The PAC has recently made significant ad buys, including $49 million in key states and an additional $10 million allocated to Texas. Trump has also publicly urged voters to consider his influence as if he were on the ballot, though the ultimate impact of this strategy remains to be seen.