Donald TrumpPeter DoocyKarl RovePoliticoFox NewsRepublican Party

Donald Trump headlines Republican midterm convention in Dallas as GOP seeks to drive voters to polls; some in party seek distance from his weakening poll numbers

Donald Trump is set to headline a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, aiming to energize voters despite his declining poll numbers. Some GOP members are distancing themselves from him, fearing his presence may backfire in the upcoming elections, as they seek to drive turnout at the polls.

The Hill The Hill+1 source8 September 2026 · 13:15 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Donald Trump is headlining a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, aiming to galvanize support as the GOP faces challenges in the polls. With Trump’s approval ratings hovering in the mid-30% range, some party members are wary of his influence.3

“We’ve told them he cannot come,” said a senior Republican involved in a district where Trump previously won by double digits. “Candidly, he would not be helpful here.”

Despite this, Trump plans extensive travel, reminiscent of his presidential campaign, with reports of “a ton of Trump travel in October, possibly as much as a Trump rally a day” in competitive states. However, some battleground Republicans have expressed a desire for him to avoid their districts ahead of the elections.

Republican pollsters are advising candidates in tight races to limit their references to Trump, fearing his unpredictable nature could overshadow their campaigns. “Trump is never disciplined. He’ll have no script, saying whatever comes to mind,” warns political analyst Karl Rove. “The narrative won’t be on anything positive about them or the GOP.”

Rove and others are urging Trump to utilize his Super PACs’ $403 million to support Republican candidates rather than focus on his own image. However, the reality remains that Trump’s primary concern is his own standing, with little regard for the midterm elections.

“The truth is, Trump doesn’t give a damn about the midterm elections except insofar as Republican losses make him look bad,” one source noted, indicating a challenging road ahead for the GOP.

Key Insight
“Trump's Super Pacs hold $403m, but he has barely spent any of it, preferring to promote himself over supporting candidates. Karl Rove warns his undisciplined comments will dominate news and force Republican candidates to constantly fend off questions about his latest remarks.”
What to expect from the first-ever Republican midterm convention
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What to expect from the first-ever Republican midterm convention
CuriousCats studied:
1
The HillThe Hill
“The GOP is set for an unusual midterm this week that is intended to drive Republican voters to the polls.”
The Hill →
2
The GuardianThe Guardian
“He’s going to use campaign cash to make himself look good, or at least far better than he looks now.”
The Guardian →
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
GOP's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas this week could magnify party's perils as Trump speaks both nights; candidates risk backlash from close ties
The Globe and MailThe Globe and Mail
GOP's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas this week could magnify party's perils as Trump speaks both nights; candidates risk backlash from close ties

The Republican Party is holding its first-ever midterm political convention on Wednesday and Thursday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, with President Donald Trump delivering addresses both nights.

Al JazeeraAmerika BirleşIk DevletleriBahrain Region
2026-09-08
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • The Republican Party is holding its first-ever midterm political convention on Wednesday and Thursday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, with President Donald Trump delivering addresses both nights.
  • Political science professor Andrew Smith of the University of New Hampshire warns that the event is dangerous because it forces Republicans to take a stand on Trump, and candidates are trying to distance themselves from the President to attract moderate voters.
  • The event is risky for Republican candidates in tight races because close identification with Mr. Trump could backfire amid voter concerns about household economic matters, high gasoline prices, and the war in Iran.
  • The MAGA Inc. funding operation announced it would spend US$10-million on advertisements for Ken Paxton, who won the nomination over John Cornyn largely due to Mr. Trump's endorsement, but is considered a weaker candidate.
  • The Republicans risk repeating the Democrats' historical mistake of holding a midterm convention while in the White House, which led to losses in both chambers during Jimmy Carter's presidency.
  • The convention is held in Texas, a state that has voted Republican in the last dozen presidential elections and where the GOP holds all statewide offices and both legislative chambers, yet the GOP's Senate candidate Ken Paxton is in a very close race against Democrat James Talarico.
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