Why Is Trump Throwing a Midterm Convention?

Political conventions are traditionally reserved for presidential election years. But President Trump has never been one to pay attention to tradition.

Trump is kicking off the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, a two-day affair running Sept. 9 and 10 that will feature plenty of pomp and circumstance — and some of the Republican Party’s biggest names, including Vice President JD Vance.

But behind the spectacle is a much more serious goal: getting Republican voters fired up for November at a moment when Trump won’t be on the ballot — and when his party is fighting to hold onto its narrow majorities in Congress.

That could be a tall order. After months of negative headlines tied to rising living costs and the Iran war, Trump’s approval rating has fallen to 33 percent,  the lowest level of his presidency according to a mid-August poll from Reuters/Ipsos. And some party insiders have told Reuters they’re concerned the Republican National Committee may struggle to attract members and activists to the event.

So, what exactly is a midterm convention — and can Trump recreate the energy of a presidential campaign without actually running? Here’s what to know.

Why is Trump having a midterm convention? 

Trump first started floating the idea last August. “It has never been done before,” Trump wrote at the time. “STAY TUNED!!!” He also predicted that Republicans would “WIN BIG IN THE MIDTERMS.” (TBD on that.)

Republicans have now made his idea a reality. The gathering kicks off Wednesday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, less than two months before the Nov. 3 elections that will determine who controls Congress. The convention also comes ahead of a historically difficult election for the party in power. And the stakes are pretty high: If Republicans lose either chamber, it could make Trump’s final two years in office considerably more difficult, potentially complicating his legislative agenda and, if Democrats take the Senate, his ability to confirm nominees.

The event is pretty unusual: Major parties typically hold their national conventions every four years, during the summer before presidential elections. Those gatherings draw thousands of delegates from across the country who take part in the ceremonial process of nominating their party’s presidential candidate. Republicans have never held a midterm convention before, though Democrats experimented with them in the 1970s and 1980s. And unlike a traditional convention, there are no nominations to hand out or other formal party business to conduct in Dallas — that’s already been settled in the primaries. 

So why hold one in the first place? Trump has said he wants to recreate some of the spectacle of a presidential convention and, more importantly, get his supporters to turn out even though his name isn’t on the ballot. “Pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” he recently told supporters. “Just come and vote.” 

What’s on the agenda for Trump's midterm convention?

With no nominee to formally crown, the convention will be big on spectacle. 

Everyday Americans are expected to take turns onstage sharing how they say they’ve benefited from Trump’s policies, alongside appearances focused on issues ranging from immigration and taxes to prescription drug prices and trade. And organizers are keeping things moving: More than 50 speakers or presentations are expected each night, with many of the remarks intentionally kept brief to create a fast-paced program that can be easily clipped and shared online. You can also expect plenty of attacks on Democrats, including Trump’s repeated efforts to portray them as communists. 

There will be some showmanship, too. Trump has promised “lots of Great Entertainment” and described the convention as “a RALLY like none other.” And in keeping with the presidential-convention feel he’s trying to recreate, there’s even a massive balloon drop planned for the finale.

Who’s going to be at the GOP midterm convention? 

Trump is hosting the event and will take the stage both nights, alongside a long list of prominent Republicans. All eyes will also be on Vice President JD Vance, who is set to deliver a keynote address. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Sen. Ted Cruz, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Donald Trump Jr., and former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt are also among those scheduled to speak.

They’ll be joined by a sizable contingent of Republicans on the ballot this fall. More than 100 Republican House members and candidates are expected to attend, though some vulnerable Republicans are skipping the festivities to campaign back home. But getting a seat at the convention doesn’t come cheap: Attendees were asked to shell out $25,000 for tickets and lodging, according to the AP. 

The convention will also give the spotlight to candidates in some of this year’s most closely watched races, including Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton. Trump has said Paxton will be a particular focus after he backed the Texas attorney general over longtime incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in a bitter GOP primary runoff. Paxton ultimately won the nomination despite years of legal and personal controversies and is now locked in a tight race against Democrat James Talarico. 

Despite all those big names, some Republicans are apparently worried the convention could be a bust. Party insiders have told Reuters they’re concerned the RNC may struggle to attract members and activists, and some vulnerable lawmakers are skipping the two-day affair altogether to campaign back home. Organizers, for their part, have expressed confidence that the arena will be filled.

In some ways, that makes the convention an early test of the very thing Trump is trying to accomplish: getting his supporters fired up when his name isn’t actually on the ballot. But come November, Republicans will find out whether they turn out anyway.