OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
8:30 PM – Wednesday, September 9, 2026
President Donald Trump delivered a memorable and fiery keynote address at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday night.
Dubbed “Trumpapalooza” by GOP party leadership, the two-day gathering at the American Airlines Center represents a crucial push by top Republicans to rally their base, fill campaign coffers and treat the upcoming congressional elections as a direct referendum on Trump’s second-term platform.
Speaking to a rowdy audience, Trump implored conservative voters to approach November with the same urgency as a presidential election year, famously instructing the crowd to “pretend that I’m on the ballot” to protect GOP majorities in Congress.
Trump’s wide-ranging address labeled the upcoming midterms as a high-stakes choice between American prosperity and progressive ruin. Highlighting his administration’s legislative record, the president touted major policy victories, including the sweeping tax cut packages passed in 2025 that featured key provisions like ending taxes on tips and expanding the child tax credit.
Warning attendees of the consequences of a Democrat resurgence, Trump argued that turning legislative control over to the left would not only slow economic momentum — but also force the country to spend the next decade recovering.
“Vote Republican and we will leave the world in our dust for generations to come,” Trump asserted, addressing the large crowd.
A central focus of the evening was the crucial battle for the host state, highlighted by Trump’s energetic endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his competitive race for the U.S. Senate.
In classic Trump fashion, the 47th president treated the audience to a lighthearted, observational riff on Paxton’s appearance and speaking style, joking about his wardrobe before praising his legal fights against federal overreach — referencing the Texas AG’s extensive track record of suing the federal government under former President Joe Biden.
Calling Paxton the “greatest attorney general in America,” Trump vowed to campaign extensively across Texas to ensure Republicans hold the seat and block radical policies. The endorsement exemplified the Republican strategy of tightening party unity and turning out conservative voters in key Sunbelt battles.
Key Moments:
- The Texas Senate Campaign: Trump spent significant time emphasizing how crucial the Texas U.S. Senate seat is for maintaining a conservative majority in Washington. He pledged to return to Texas as many times as necessary to help Paxton win against far-left opponent James Talarico, describing the race as vital to “defeat communism” and protect conservative priorities.
- Primary Endorsements and Unity: Trump acknowledged the tough Republican primary history — where Paxton defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a runoff — and called on Texas Republicans to unite behind the ticket.
- Border Security / Immigration: Trump also praised Texas leaders like Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz for their legal and physical efforts along the Southern Border.
- Energy Policy and the Economy: He reiterated support for Texas’s oil and natural gas production, calling for reduced federal regulations on energy producers while also criticizing Democrat-led economic policies.
- Charlie Kirk: Turning to a more somber note, Trump went on to pay tribute to Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, commemorating the one-year anniversary of his tragic assassination. Trump honored Kirk’s enduring legacy as a conservative icon and a pivotal force in mobilizing young voters across the nation.
Overall, the convention’s opening night featured a stacked lineup of well-known speakers designed to highlight the GOP administration’s larger vision and exploit fractures within the opposition.
In one of the evening’s most eye-opening moments, the Dallas convention even aired a recorded video message from Senator John Fetterman (D-Penn.). Crossing party lines to offer praise for Republican candidates and critique anti-American and anti-Israel left-wing policies, Fetterman’s surprise appearance gave the GOP a notable piece of bipartisan backing.
As Vice President JD Vance prepares to headline the second night of the convention alongside another appearance by the president, the Dallas event highlights the GOP’s decision to anchor its midterm strategy to Trump’s personal political brand.
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