Miami
Trump and Vance closed the Dallas Republican convention with a push for midterm turnout
The president and vice president urged supporters to protect GOP majorities in Congress at an event shaped by attacks on Democrats, 2028 speculation and protests outside the venue.
Donald Trump and JD Vance headlined the final night of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, delivering a message aimed at boosting turnout ahead of November and helping the party hold the House and Senate.
According to NBC 6 South Florida, Trump returned to the stage on Thursday night and urged supporters to go vote. He also led the crowd in a repeated pledge to cast ballots on Nov. 3, framing the election as crucial for preserving Republican control in Congress.
Vance, who gave the keynote address, drew loud chants from the audience and was watched closely as a possible figure in the party’s post-Trump future, though he has not said whether he plans to run for president. In his speech, he sharply criticized Democrats and called on Republicans to stay united despite internal disagreements over the war with Iran and other issues.
NBC 6 South Florida reported that the convention was designed to energize voters who often turn out for Trump but not always for other Republican candidates. In that setting, some attendees told the outlet they were thinking not only about this year’s congressional races but also about the presidential contest two years from now.
The program also featured Mike Johnson, Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Donald Trump Jr. and other Republican officials and candidates. The evening included a tribute to Charlie Kirk and an observance tied to the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
According to NBC 6 South Florida, Vance raised $2 million for the party at a Dallas fundraiser, citing a person familiar with the event who was not authorized to speak publicly. The outlet also reported that No Going Back PAC Inc., which a knowledgeable source said is connected to MAGA Inc., has booked more than $68 million in advertising for key races.
Protests took place outside the arena, while House Democrats held counterprogramming events in Texas and denounced the Republican gathering. NBC 6 South Florida also reported that state Rep. James Talarico launched a food drive alongside the event, and that his campaign said it collected more than 20,000 pounds of groceries through donations at 30 sites across 26 counties.
The convention unfolded as Republicans confront the usual political risks of midterm elections and narrowly contested congressional races. NBC 6 South Florida reported that many in the party still see alignment with Trump as their strongest chance to keep seats, even as voters remain concerned about the economy and the war with Iran.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
