Republican midterm convention will be ‘Trumpist pageantry’ – at the party’s own risk | Republicans
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-09-07 05:00:00 — www.theguardian.com
Trump’s Midterm Convention Gamble: A High-Risk Strategy Amid Plummeting Approval
As the Republican Party prepares for its first-ever midterm convention in Dallas, President Trump is set to take center stage, delivering both the keynote address and closing remarks. The event, billed as a “primetime showcase” to boost morale and galvanize Republican voters, is widely seen as a Trump-centric affair, with one expert describing it as “essentially a Trump rally that they’re calling a midterm convention.”
Trump’s Central Role and Party Risks
Trump’s decision to headline the convention is a calculated move to address the party’s historic challenge: Republican voters are less likely to turn out when he is not on the ballot. By putting himself front and center, Trump hopes to close the enthusiasm gap ahead of November’s elections. However, this strategy comes at a time when his approval rating has sunk to a career low of 33%, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. In contrast, Democrats report higher enthusiasm for voting, with 46% saying they are “very enthusiastic,” compared to just 31% of Republicans.
Growing Discontent and Candidate Distancing
There are mounting signs that Trump’s presence may be more of a liability than an asset. Some Republican candidates are quietly removing references to Trump from their campaign materials. In Texas, Carlos De La Cruz replaced “TRUMP CONSERVATIVE” with “PROVEN CONSERVATIVE” on his website, while others in Kentucky, Nevada, and Alaska have similarly distanced themselves from the president’s brand.
Trump’s Indifference to Party Fallout
Despite these developments, Trump appears unmoved and indifferent to the political risks for his party. According to historian Allan Lichtman, Trump “doesn’t care about any of these other candidates. He only cares about two things when it comes to the midterms: one, that he won’t be investigated and two, that he can get his appointments through the Senate. He demands loyalty for everyone else and gives loyalty to no one.”
A Divisive Strategy and Uncertain Outcome
The convention’s program is designed to energize the base, with segments on tax cuts, healthcare, and border security, but it notably avoids foreign policy and the unpopular war in Iran. Trump and his allies are expected to double down on rhetoric portraying Democrats as “godless communists and Marxists who pose an existential threat to the American way of life.”
Political analysts warn that making the midterms a referendum on Trump could backfire, given his current unpopularity. As conservative commentator Charlie Sykes put it, “He wants to make the midterms all about himself despite the fact that he’s reaching the Nixon line in terms of polling unpopularity.”
Conclusion: A High-Stakes Gamble
Trump’s decision to dominate the midterm convention reflects his ongoing strategy of personalizing party events and demanding loyalty, even as many in his party seek distance. With enthusiasm lagging among Republican voters and Trump’s approval at historic lows, the Dallas convention is a high-stakes gamble that could further expose divisions within the party—and potentially deepen dissatisfaction among voters heading into November.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/07/republican-midterm-convention-trump