President Donald Trump will take center stage on both nights of the Republican National Committee’s inaugural midterm convention this week as the GOP prepares for a high-profile election-year gathering in Dallas.
Trump will appear Wednesday, September 9, before returning Thursday evening to deliver the convention’s closing keynote address, according to the RNC’s official schedule. Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to give the first night’s keynote.
The two-night commitment expands Trump’s already prominent role at an event designed to showcase his administration’s record and rally Republican voters before the November midterm elections.
Trump previously said he would attend both nights and was “rarin’ to go.”
Trump Takes Center Stage
The convention will be held at the American Airlines Center, where organizers expect approximately 20,000 attendees. More than 100 speakers and programming items are scheduled across the two nights.
Trump’s Wednesday appearance is expected to coincide with a rally featuring Vance and other prominent Republicans, CBS News Texas reported. His Thursday keynote is scheduled for the final hour of the convention, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time.
RNC Chair Joe Gruters has described the gathering as a “Trump-a-palooza,” reflecting the president’s central role in the party’s midterm message.
The event is formally classified as a special ceremonial convention. Under the RNC’s official convention call, participants will not adopt resolutions, conduct elections or transact other formal party business.
Instead, the stated purpose is to celebrate the Trump administration’s accomplishments and promote Republican candidates competing in House, Senate and gubernatorial races.
Policy Wins And Midterm Stakes
Programming will focus heavily on the administration’s economic and domestic agenda, including tax relief, border enforcement, health care costs, domestic manufacturing, school choice and proposals to ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
The convention will also feature candidate showcases focused on competitive races around the country.
Attorney General Todd Blanche, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso are among the prominent Republicans expected to participate, according to The Hill.
Thursday’s schedule includes a tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a commemoration marking 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks and a final presentation contrasting the Republican and Democratic agendas.
Some Republicans Stay Home
Not every prominent Republican will make the trip to Texas.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Mike Rounds are among those expected to remain away from the convention, with some lawmakers choosing to campaign in their home states.
Several House Republicans in competitive districts have also decided to stay on the campaign trail. Vance defended that choice, saying candidates should make decisions based on what gives them the best chance to reach their constituents.
Questions have also surrounded the cost of attending. Axios reported that some House members were asked to contribute $25,000 for a package that included two convention tickets, hotel accommodations and access to a reception.
Republicans enrolled in the National Republican Congressional Committee’s program for vulnerable incumbents were reportedly exempted from that contribution. One Republican lawmaker told Axios there was “no requirement to pay” and “no requirement to go.”
Democrats Plan Their Response
Democrats are preparing counterprogramming in Dallas while Trump and other Republicans address the convention.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced that Democratic Reps. Jason Crow, Robert Garcia, Madeleine Dean and Sydney Kamlager-Dove would travel to Texas to present their party’s competing midterm message.
Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder are also expected to participate in events surrounding the convention.
Security has already tightened around the American Airlines Center. The Secret Service and local authorities have established checkpoints, street closures and flight restrictions around the venue, while residents and workers entering the secured area are being asked to show identification.
Trump’s decision to appear on both nights ensures that the unprecedented gathering will remain centered on his administration—and on his effort to make its record a defining issue in November.
