At the conclusion of a two-day Republican midterm convention in Dallas, former President Donald Trump urged supporters to pledge voting for the GOP in the November elections, warning that failure to do so would have severe consequences. Speaking to a large crowd, Trump said, "You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell." Earlier, Vice President and potential future presidential candidate JD Vance appealed to attendees to reject current polling predictions that suggest significant Republican losses, framing the election as a choice between "common sense" and "lunatics."
With control of Congress at stake, GOP speakers emphasized traditional party themes such as tax cuts, Christianity, opposition to transgender rights, and immigration restrictions. There were also repeated warnings of an alleged communist threat should Democrats secure majorities in both legislative chambers. However, the convention notably avoided addressing the domestic economic fallout from the ongoing six-month conflict involving Iran, which has contributed to gasoline prices surpassing $4 per gallon and diesel exceeding $6 per gallon. This has exposed Republicans to criticism over their inability to alleviate rising living costs.
Vance acknowledged these challenges, urging voters not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater" by abandoning the party due to disagreements over specific policies like the Iran conflict. Yet, this message comes amid widespread dissatisfaction linked to various issues, including Republicans' handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents and broader affordability concerns—factors that could suppress GOP turnout and sway undecided voters toward Democrats.
Republican Congressman Pat Harrigan from North Carolina, serving on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed apprehension about the impact of the Iran conflict and high fuel prices. Similarly, right-wing commentator Steve Deace called for internal Republican accountability regarding rising energy costs. Deace criticized what he described as the party’s reluctance to openly discuss the Iran war, likening the current U.S. role to that of a "tollbooth manager of Hormuz."
Several speakers at the convention sought to energize the party’s base through appeals to nationalism and conservative values. Vance took aim at a protester waving a Mexican flag, telling them to "get your ass over there," while Texas Senator Ted Cruz warned of a "red-green alliance," accusing left-wing Democrats of aligning with communists and Islamists against the United States.
Democratic candidates such as Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan and Texas’s James Talarico, who is seeking to unseat GOP Attorney General Ken Paxton, were frequent targets of criticism. Vance mocked Talarico for his advocacy around transgender athletes. There was also notable concern expressed about artificial intelligence policy and federally approved data centers, with critics citing a lack of transparency and limited public input.
On the financial front, Trump unveiled a controversial proposal to issue $5,000 payments to over 250 million adults if Republicans maintain congressional control. The plan received mixed reactions among Republicans, with some endorsing it conditionally and others hesitant due to fiscal conservatism concerns amid high inflation and increasing debt.
Outside the convention arena, demonstrators expressing opposition to the Republican agenda gathered, with signs linking the MAGA movement to extremist labels. Former Congressman Beto O’Rourke suggested the GOP’s choice of Texas for its event reflected anxiety over potentially losing the state.
As the midterm campaign enters its final phase, Republicans plan to invest heavily in fundraising efforts, with Dallas hosting several high-dollar donor events. For Vance, the convention was also an opportunity to elevate his profile ahead of the 2028 presidential race, though he remained focused on the immediate electoral contest, stating, "We’ve got to take care of business this November. Then we can worry about what comes next."