President Donald Trump turned the opening night of the Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention into an emphatic appeal for Republicans to treat November as though his own name were still on the ballot.
The Dallas Express was on-site Wednesday at American Airlines Center as Trump capped nearly six hours of programming featuring Republican candidates, administration officials, party leaders and supporters from across the country.
Trump’s wide-ranging address touched on border security, taxes, affordability, the war with Iran and competitive congressional races while repeatedly returning to the political purpose of the gathering: getting Republican voters to turn out on November 3.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump told the crowd, repeating the phrase for emphasis before adding, “just one more time.”
Readers can watch the official Day 1 Republican Convention video, which is embedded by the Republican National Committee on its official convention livestream page.
Energy Builds Inside American Airlines Center
The atmosphere inside American Airlines Center grew noticeably more energetic as Wednesday progressed.
Open seats were visible during portions of the afternoon program, but the crowd increased ahead of prime time. Red MAGA hats, American flags, cowboy hats and patriotic attire dotted the arena as speaker after speaker urged Republicans to carry the enthusiasm surrounding Trump into the midterm elections.
Trump’s entrance produced one of the loudest reactions of the night. Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” live as Trump took the stage, and chants of “USA” echoed through American Airlines Center.
The gathering carried many of the familiar elements of a presidential convention: elaborate staging, video packages, music, political speeches and state delegations. However, this time was different because it did not have the traditional task of selecting a presidential nominee.
The RNC’s official convention website describes the two-day gathering as the party’s first midterm convention, organized to showcase Trump’s record, Republican candidates and the party’s agenda ahead of November.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, the RNC changed its rules in January to permit such a gathering outside a presidential election year. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters has referred to the event as “Trumpapalooza.”
Trump Introduces $5,000 ‘Dividend’ Proposal
Trump produced one of Day 1’s biggest headlines when he proposed sending $5,000 to adult U.S. citizens if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate.
He called the proposed payment the “Trump dividend.”
Trump said the money would have to be spent in the United States but did not provide detailed eligibility requirements, a funding mechanism or a legislative path for creating the payments.
At roughly 270 million adults multiplied by $5,000, the theoretical cost would be approximately $1.35 trillion.
Any payment program of that scale would require congressional action and additional details before it could be implemented.
Paxton: ‘If We Lose Texas’
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, received one of Wednesday’s most prominent Texas speaking slots and used it to frame his race against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in national terms.
Paxton acknowledged the financial strength of his Democratic opponent’s campaign and appealed directly to Republicans for help.
“If we lose Texas, we lose the common-sense revolution,” Paxton said. “If we lose the common-sense revolution, we lose America.”
Paxton also criticized Talarico on taxes, energy, gender policy and other issues while promoting a platform he calls “Protecting the Texas Promise.”
Trump later devoted significant time to the Texas Senate contest, telling the crowd he planned to return to the state to campaign for Paxton and said he would come back multiple times if necessary.
Fetterman Delivers Crossover Moment
One of Day 1’s most notable moments came from Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman.
Fetterman appeared in a prerecorded video introducing Republican Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick.
Fetterman explicitly identified himself as a Democrat before describing himself as a “common-sense Democrat” and saying he rejects political extremes and socialism.
He also praised McCormick and said he would work with Trump to protect Pennsylvania steel jobs.
The appearance was significant because Fetterman remains a Democratic senator while increasingly departing from members of his party on some foreign policy, economic and cultural issues.
Border Security, Crime And ‘Common Sense’ Dominate Day 1
Immigration, crime, affordability, manufacturing and taxes appeared repeatedly throughout Wednesday’s program.
The official Day 1 schedule included National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez, border residents Wanda and Ron Liptow, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and numerous Republican congressional and statewide candidates.
The family of slain Georgia nursing student Laken Riley also appeared alongside Republican Senate candidate Rep. Mike Collins.
Speakers repeatedly cast Republican policies as “common-sense” and stressed that Democratic positions on the border, crime, taxes, “gender ideology,” and energy put the party outside the American mainstream.
Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds also used his appearance to connect Republican governance in Florida and Texas.
Iran And The Economy Follow Trump To Dallas
The war with Iran and its economic consequences also became part of Trump’s midterm message Wednesday.
Trump defended military action against Iran and stressed that the country could not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon.
He also acknowledged that the conflict interrupted what he characterized as strong economic momentum for his administration.
Energy prices have become particularly relevant as Republicans attempt to make affordability a central campaign issue.
Before traveling to Dallas, Trump addressed oil prices while speaking with reporters at Joint Base Andrews. The White House published video of that exchange.
Trump predicted prices would fall following the election.
Dallas Becomes The Center Of Republican Politics
For Dallas, the convention has transformed Victory Park into a temporary center of national politics.
Security fencing, street restrictions, checkpoints and a significant law enforcement presence surround American Airlines Center, while convention visitors have moved through hotels, restaurants and businesses throughout the area.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, Visit Dallas President and CEO Craig Davis projected the convention could fill more than 5,000 hotel rooms. That number is a pre-convention projection rather than a final count of hotel occupancy or convention attendance.
The Dallas Express also previously reported on the transportation procedures established for general-admission guests. Confirmed attendees were instructed to collect credentials at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie before boarding official GOP Express buses to American Airlines Center.
The arrangements are part of an extensive security operation surrounding the two-day event.
Previous Dallas Express coverage also examined why Dallas emerged as the convention’s host, including Texas’ importance to Republican fundraising, the availability of American Airlines Center, the region’s hotel infrastructure and Trump’s preference for the city.
The Midterm Strategy Clear
Day 2 begins Thursday with another extensive lineup of Republican candidates and officials.
The announced RNC schedule includes Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump Jr.
Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to speak during the final portion of Thursday’s program, with Trump expected to return before the convention concludes.
Night 2 remains ahead, but Day 1 established the Republican Party’s central argument in Dallas: Trump may not be on the November ballot, but the party wants his political coalition to act as though he is.
