The Republican Party kicked off their first-ever midterm convention Wednesday afternoon in Dallas, where President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and over 100 other GOP luminaries are scheduled to appear for two nights of speeches, policy discussions and political cheerleading.
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Unlike GOP conventions in general election years, no candidates will be nominated at the midterm RNC, no votes will be cast, and no party platform will be adopted. The purpose of the rally is to raise money, showcase Republican candidates—especially those in tight races, and motivate voters ahead of the crucial November 3 midterm elections.
The “Trump-a-palooza” kicked off with a prayer from Pastor Jack Graham, leader of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, and a longtime ally of President Trump.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) accused Democrats of allowing a “Bolshevik Revolution” to take over the party.
“The Democrat Party has been completely taken over by crazy communists. I call it the Bolshevik Revolution in the Democrat Party, and if they get back the gavel, let me tell you what they will do,” he told the audience, warning that the first thing the Dems will do if they retake Congress is “impeach President Trump and his cabinet.”
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) scorched America-hating leftists, telling them to “get the hell out” of the country.
“This is an election between common sense and communism, between America-loving patriots and hate-America extremists,” he said. “The Communist Party, oh excuse me, the Democrats have no leader … the only thing they can agree on is their disgusting hatred of America and our outbreak president.”
“These people are sick,” Emmer added.
National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Chairman Tim Scott tore into the Democrats’ top candidates in battleground states, including Texas Senate candidate James Talarico for suggesting that God is nonbinary.
“This group is really bad; this party we face is the most dangerous, radical, and frankly weird Democratic Party in American history,” Scott (R-SC) proclaimed.
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Texas Rep. Brandon Gill characterized the election as a contest “between the mainstream and the extreme.”
“How can people who have such a fundamental disdain for this country be trusted to govern it?” Gill asked.
Stay tuned for live updates.
Speaker schedule for Wednesday:
4:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Joe Gruters, Republican National Committee Chairman
Heather Washburne, President of the Host Committee
Pastor Jack Graham, Senior Pastor Prestonwood Baptist Church
Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)
Carlos De La Cruz, Candidate for U.S. House (TX-35)
Everyday American, Former Democrat turned America First Grassroots Leader
The Honorable Scott Turner
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13)
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03)
5:00 – 6:00 PM ET
Everyday Americans, Border Residents and Supporters of Frontline Law Enforcement
Rep. Steve Scalise, House Majority Leader
Rep. Tom Emmer, House Majority Whip
Michael Whatley, Candidate for U.S. Senate (NC)
Everyday Americans, Medical Professionals
Senator Tim Scott, National Republican Senatorial Committee
Attorney General Austin Knudsen, Republican Attorneys General Association
Senator John Barrasso, Senate Majority Whip
6:00 – 7:00 PM ET
Rep. Brandon Gill (TX-26)
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell
Paul Perez, President of the National Border Patrol Council & Members of the NBPC
Ken Paxton, Candidate for U.S. Senate (TX)
Rep. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08)
Everyday American, Factory Worker, Working Mother, and Manufacturing Success Story
Everyday American, Retiree and Senior Tax-Relief Beneficiary
7:00 – 8:00 PM ET
Sen. Jon Husted, Candidate for U.S. Senate (OH)
T.W. Shannon, Candidate for Lt. Governor of Oklahoma
Senator Dave McCormick
Everyday Americans, Factory Workers, Steel Union Members, and Ship Builders
Mike LiPetri, Candidate for U.S. House (NY-03)
Rep. Mike Collins, Candidate for U.S. Senate (GA)
The Honorable Todd Blanche
8:00 – 9:00 PM ET
The Honorable Dr. Mehmet Oz
Rep. Byron Donalds, Candidate for Governor of Florida
Jay Feely, Candidate for U.S. House (AZ-01)
Captain Mike Bouchard Jr., Candidate for U.S. House (MI-10)
The Honorable Scott Bessent
Everyday American, Working Mother and Economic Policy Advocate
9:00 – 10:00 PM ET
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Keynote Address:
President Donald J. Trump, 45th and 47th President of the United States
