Overview
- The Republican National Committee will hold its first modern midterm convention at the American Airlines Center on Sept. 9–10, with President Trump set to speak both nights and Vice President J.D. Vance delivering the opening keynote.
- The RNC published a roster of more than 100 speakers that heavily features Trump allies, cabinet members and family, and organizers say the program is designed to make the election feel like a referendum on the president.
- Worries about turnout and optics have led the party to offer free‑ticket lotteries and expensive donor packages, and multiple reports say some lawmakers were told to pay or raise roughly $25,000 for attendance and lodging.
- Television reach will be limited because major networks have not committed full prime‑time coverage, C‑SPAN will carry uninterrupted coverage, and the convention clashes with NFL openers that could draw viewers away.
- Republicans face a strategic split: many vulnerable candidates are skipping or reluctant to attend because Trump’s low approval ratings could hurt down‑ballot chances, even as pro‑Trump groups have begun targeted ad buys to try to boost key races.