Republicans concluded a two-day convention in Dallas designed to mobilize the party's base before November midterm elections. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were the headliners. The event took place as the party seeks to improve its standing with voters, with some attendees expressing mixed views on Trump's visibility in the final campaign push.
Republican convention concludes in Dallas as GOP mobilizes for midterm elections
Republicans concluded a two-day convention in Dallas designed to mobilize the party's base before November midterm elections. President Trump and Vice President JD Vance were the headliners. The event took place as the party seeks to improve its standing with voters, with some attendees expressing mixed views on Trump's visibility in the final campaign push.
Trump delivered remarks on the final night of the convention and administered a pledge to attendees urging them to vote in November. According to PBS NewsHour, Trump told the crowd: 'You know what happens if you don't vote. You go to hell.' Trump also stated he would attempt to vote 'anyway' regardless of registration status, saying 'I'm going to try and cheat like hell like they do.'
Vice President Vance delivered remarks characterizing Democrats as 'the party of hatred' and urged supporters to maintain course. Vance stated: 'Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Don't give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there.'
Convention attendees expressed differing views on Trump's role in the campaign. One attendee stated concern about polling numbers but attributed low Republican support to 'fake news.' Another said she wanted to see 'less' of Trump and 'more action.' A third contended that 'Trump gets people out' and motivates the base.
GOP speakers at the convention focused criticism on Democratic candidates. According to PBS NewsHour, Senator Ted Cruz referenced New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, stating that when these candidates make certain statements, 'they mean it.' An audience member responded with a violent comment, which Cruz did not acknowledge. El-Sayed subsequently responded on CNN, stating that 'Democracy is supposed to be the process by which we solve our problems peacefully.'
Discussion among attendees turned toward potential Republican nominees for 2028. According to PBS NewsHour, one attendee mentioned interest in Senators Marco Rubio and Josh Hawley, as well as Vice President Vance. Vance downplayed such speculation, stating: 'We got to take care of business this November. Then we will worry about what comes next.'
Senator Susan Collins of Maine did not attend the convention, stating she needed to campaign in her home state. According to CT Public, Collins said she skips conventions during years when she faces reelection. Collins noted that Maine contains nearly one-third independent voters who are key to her reelection prospects and that polling suggests Trump is unpopular with this group.
At the convention, Trump proposed issuing $5,000 payments to most Americans if Republicans maintain control of Congress after the elections. According to CT Public, Senator Collins characterized this proposal as 'extraordinarily expensive,' estimating the cost at 'in excess of a trillion dollars' based on initial analyses she reviewed. Collins stated she did not see the proposal as 'feasible in this economic environment' but suggested a 'scaled-down version that is limited and targeted' might be possible.
Senator Angus King, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, was more direct in his criticism of the $5,000 proposal. According to CT Public, King stated the offer was 'flat out illegal and a federal crime,' pointing to a federal statute prohibiting candidates from offering people money to vote a certain way. King stated: 'Politicians promise frequently, if you vote for me, I'll fix social security or improve your economic prospects in some other way, but this is a case where the public official is trying to get people to vote a certain way, based upon giving them money — precisely what the law prohibits.'
Collins did not endorse King's legal argument. According to CT Public, Collins stated she did not know the basis for King's assertion that the payout would be illegal. However, Collins expressed concern about the policy itself, stating that fiscal policies should not be tied to election outcomes, characterizing Trump's proposal as 'in the nature of a reward.'
Where sources differ
- Collins and King differ on whether Trump's $5,000 proposal constitutes a federal crime. King asserts it is 'flat out illegal and a federal crime' under federal statute; Collins stated she does not know the basis for this legal claim and did not endorse the illegality argument, though she questioned the policy's feasibility and appropriateness.
- No sources establish the total attendance at the convention or the full range of other speakers beyond Trump, Vance, and Cruz.
- PBS NewsHour does not report Trump's or Republican leaders' response to Collins's criticism of the $5,000 proposal.
- Neither source establishes whether other Republican senators have publicly commented on the legality or feasibility of the $5,000 payment proposal.
- CT Public does not report whether Democratic Party leaders or Trump campaign officials have responded to Collins's or King's criticisms of the $5,000 proposal.
- No source establishes the specific details of Trump's $5,000 proposal beyond the $5,000 figure, the condition that Republicans maintain congressional control, and that it applies to 'most Americans' or 'every adult citizen.'
- PBS NewsHour does not establish whether the 'striking and unexpected moments' referenced in the headline include elements beyond those reported in the transcript.
- Neither source reports polling data or specific numbers regarding Republican support or Trump's popularity among independent voters beyond general characterizations.
- PBS NewsHour — original — by Liz Landers
- CT Public — by Kevin Miller
Read the original at PBS NewsHour