Republicans rally around Trump as succession questions grow

Republicans wrapped up an unprecedented midterm convention in Dallas with a clear message for November: Donald Trump remains the party’s central figure, even as some activists and operatives quietly look past him toward the 2028 presidential race.

The two-day gathering at the American Airlines Center, billed by supporters ahead of time as a “Trump-a-palooza,” was designed to energize voters before elections that could determine control of Congress. Republicans have never held a midterm convention before, and the event borrowed the trappings of a presidential-year spectacle, with signs, live music and a balloon drop.

Trump dominated the convention. In a nearly two-hour speech Wednesday, he urged voters to “pretend” he is on the ballot and pledged to give American adults a “$5,000 dividend” if Republicans retain control of both the House and Senate. The promise drew concern from supporters and critics, Al Jazeera reported.

On Thursday night, Trump returned to the stage after Vice President JD Vance’s keynote address and pressed the crowd again on turnout. “You know what happens if you don’t vote?” he asked. “You go to hell.”

The convention came as Republicans face difficult midterm conditions, including Trump’s low approval ratings, public frustration over affordability and the US-Israel war on Iran. Polls suggest Democrats have a good chance of retaking the House, while the Senate is also in play, though considered a longer shot for Democrats.

Party activists were divided over whether centering the convention on Trump would help. “I think it will make a difference. If anything it allows us to test the [campaign] message in front of a large audience,” Jeff Ryer, the Virginia Republican Party chairman, told the BBC.

One Republican operative, speaking anonymously to the BBC, said Trump’s approach may not persuade voters deciding whether to keep Republicans in control of Congress. “Do I wish Trump gave a shorter speech? Sure, but that’s not who he is,” the operative said. “I don’t think saying ‘pretend I’m on the ballot’ will work. He’s not.”

Vance, widely seen as a leading possible successor to Trump, gave Republicans a preview of what could come next. “We’ve got to take care of business this November,” he told the crowd. “Then we’ll worry about what comes next.” At one point, chants of “48” — a reference to the next president after Trump — interrupted him. Vance let them continue briefly before waving them off.

His speech emphasized Republican unity, immigration policy, “family values” and the administration’s record. “I’m not asking anybody to agree with me on every single issue,” Vance said. “What I am asking you to do is to recognise the contrast with the radicals and recognise the achievements of the last 18 months.” He also appealed to undecided voters, saying he wanted to reach “the people who are still making up their minds.”

Attendees interviewed by the BBC and Al Jazeera most often named Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as possible 2028 contenders. “Trump needs to pass the torch. We need to look forward,” said Sandy Money, a Republican from Arizona. “I love Vance. But Rubio is my choice.” Rubio was not at the convention because he was on a diplomatic trip to Ecuador.

Outside the arena, Democrats and activists held a small protest near the convention site and a rally at Dallas City Hall. “It’s to bring national attention to this and hopefully put some pressure on politicians that aren’t so firmly rooted in MAGA,” said Jon Pattison, 66, an activist with Indivisible.

Texas officials also used the convention to elevate state priorities. Senator Ted Cruz said, “Sharia law has no place in America,” while Governor Greg Abbott said Texas would “fully ban Sharia law.” Critics cited by Al Jazeera say lawmakers have misrepresented Sharia and are stigmatizing Islam.

Other speeches targeted Democratic candidates, including Michigan progressive Abdul El-Sayed and Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. Republican Mike Rogers criticized El-Sayed over appearances with commentator Hasan Piker, while El-Sayed released a new attack ad against Rogers on Thursday.