President Donald Trump is preparing to take center stage in Dallas as Republicans gather for the party’s first-ever midterm convention.
The two-day event, scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10 at the American Airlines Center, will serve as a massive campaign rally aimed at energizing Trump’s supporters and promoting Republican candidates ahead of November’s elections.
“Dallas will take center stage on September 9th and 10th as we celebrate our Nation, our achievements and our bright future,” Trump said when announcing the gathering, according to The Texas Tribune.
Vice President JD Vance will deliver the keynote address on the opening night. Trump is expected to appear on both nights before closing the convention with a primetime speech on Sept. 10.
The official convention schedule promises 109 speakers and program items across the two evenings, although the identities of most participants remain under wraps.
Republicans plan to use the unprecedented gathering to promote the Trump administration’s accomplishments on taxes, border security, domestic manufacturing, prescription drug costs and government reform.
The program will highlight policies including no tax on tips, expanded child tax benefits, TrumpRx and the administration’s crackdown on illegal border crossings. It will also feature workers, families and small-business owners who Republicans say have benefited from Trump’s agenda.
The second evening will include a tribute marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks before Trump delivers the closing address.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are among the leading Republicans expected to attend, Axios reported.
Paxton is currently locked in a competitive Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, giving Republicans an additional reason to place Texas at the center of their midterm push.
The convention is expected to draw roughly 20,000 people, with organizers hoping Trump can help mobilize voters who do not typically participate when he is not personally on the ballot.
Unlike a traditional presidential convention, the Dallas gathering will not involve nominating a candidate or conducting other formal party business. Instead, it is being designed as a shorter, digitally focused showcase for Trump’s agenda and the Republicans running to advance it.
Social media personalities have been invited to distribute content from the event on X, Facebook and TikTok. Republican officials are also discussing coverage plans with major television networks.
The event will face heavy competition for viewers from the opening games of the NFL season, which will air during both nights of the convention.
RNC spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre nevertheless predicted that Trump would command a substantial audience.
“President Trump is one of the greatest showmen in history, and we fully expect to have a spectacular showing in Dallas and draw a massive viewership,” Baldassarre told Axios.
The gathering has already earned the unofficial nickname “Trump-a-palooza,” reflecting the president’s central role in the event and the GOP’s plan to put him at the forefront of its midterm message.
Trump has promised that the convention will include prominent Americans, Republican candidates and entertainment while offering voters a preview of what the party hopes to accomplish after November.
“It will be a RALLY like none other!” Trump declared.
