President Donald Trump closed the first-ever Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas by asking supporters to pledge allegiance to him as part of a vow to vote in November. According to Daily Mail, Trump told the crowd, “Please raise right your right hand. I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States. That loves us so much he can’t even breathe,” before continuing, “I don’t care if I’m registered or not, I’m going to try to cheat like hell like they do… and we are going to vote on November 3.”
Trump also told the crowd, “You know what happens if you don’t vote right?” before answering, “you go to hell.” The Democratic Party’s rapid response account described the pledge as “a cult ritual,” while Democratic messaging adviser Tim Hogan called the convention “a stunningly pointless exercise for the Republicans.” Trump’s remarks lasted under 30 minutes, shorter than the nearly two-hour address he gave the night before.
Trump also praised Vice President JD Vance, whose 40-minute keynote address drew chants of “JD! JD!” Vance’s remarks covered affordability, border security, and family policy, and he called Democrats “the party of hatred” while urging Republicans to stay unified despite disagreements over issues like the war in Iran.
Vance’s speech was briefly interrupted by a heckler
His speech was briefly interrupted by a heckler who threw a Mexican flag, then a Palestinian flag, into the crowd while shouting “Free Palestine.” Vance responded by telling the heckler to “get your a** over there! I’ll buy you a plane ticket,” drawing chants of “USA.” Several Republicans in competitive 2026 races, including Maine Senator Susan Collins and New Hampshire nominee John E. Sununu, skipped the main stage.
Forecasters generally expect Democrats to retake the US House, while the Senate remains closer, with battlegrounds in Maine, Ohio, Michigan, and Alaska. Senate nominees Ken Paxton, Michael Whatley, and Mike Collins spoke, alongside several Trump cabinet members including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Trump also pledged a $5,000 payment to every American adult if Republicans win the midterms, funded through tariff revenue. Independent analysts, including the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget and the Tax Foundation, have put the total cost between $1.2 trillion and $1.35 trillion, well above the roughly $195-200 billion in annual customs revenue the plan would draw from.
Trump has said he doesn’t believe congressional approval would be required. Trump is also directing campaign funding through No Going Back PAC Inc., which a person with knowledge of the matter said is linked to his MAGA Inc. and has reserved more than $68 million in advertising.
The convention paid tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, whose fatal shooting at Utah Valley University in September 2025 has separately intersected with other documented threats against the Trump family reported this year. Trump called Kirk’s killing a “shock” and criticized those who “made an excuse for it or cheered for it.” Turning Point’s Lucas Miles said, “No one will ever replace Charlie Kirk.”
During Senator Ted Cruz’s remarks naming Democratic officials including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, an unidentified attendee shouted “he should be shot” three separate times. The convention also marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, observed the following day.
Published: Sep 11, 2026 03:03 pm