Trump to host Republican midterm convention in Dallas September 9-10

September 9, 2026 at 04:48 PM2 min

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President Donald Trump and the Republican Party will host a rare midterm convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on September 9-10. Trump is scheduled to speak both nights, with Vice President JD Vance closing the first night. The event comes as Trump's approval rating has fallen ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Key Facts

The convention will be held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10.
Trump is scheduled to speak on both nights, including the closing keynote on Thursday from 8pm to 9pm Central Time.
US Vice President JD Vance will close out night one with a speech.
The Republican National Committee has billed the Dallas midterm convention as a 'first in American political history'.
The event runs from 3pm to 9pm Central Time (20:00 to 02:00 GMT) on both days.

Convention Schedule

The convention will be hosted at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, September 9 and Thursday, September 10. The event is expected to run from 3pm to 9pm Central Time (20:00 to 02:00 GMT) on both days. Trump is scheduled to speak on both nights, including a Wednesday address and the convention's closing keynote on Thursday from 8pm to 9pm Central Time (01:00 to 02:00 GMT on Friday). US Vice President JD Vance will close out night one with a speech.

Political Context

Trump's approval rating has tanked in the lead-up to the midterm vote, with polls pointing to a panoply of factors, most notably the US-Israel war on Iran and its knock-on economic effects for US consumers. The lack of enthusiasm threatens what are already considered long-shot odds in the Republicans' effort to hold on to control of the House of Representatives. Shifting public opinion has also put control of the Senate increasingly in play, although Democrats still face an uphill battle to pull off an upset. A loss of control in either chamber would serve as a major check on Trump's authority in the final two years of his second term.

Unconventional Format

The Republican National Committee (RNC), the party's official organising body, has billed the Dallas midterm convention as a 'first in American political history'. Both Democratic and Republican national conventions have historically capped the primary season before a presidential election. The emphasis has historically been on the presidential nomination process during the largely ceremonial events. Several Republicans, particularly those in the tightest races, have kept the event at arm's length amid concerns that associating with the president could only further mobilise his detractors.