Republicans held a two-day midterm convention in Dallas centered on Trump, an event described as unusual for a midterm year. During the gathering, Trump pledged that adult citizens would receive a $5,000 dividend if Republicans retain control of the House and Senate. The New York Post quoted Trump laying out the terms of the promise directly: "If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them, because of our tremendous economic success… I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000."1
Questions about how the payment would be funded surfaced during the convention. The BBC quoted Robert Moran, speaking to the BBC World Service's Newsday programme, saying it's an extraordinary promise, and I'm not sure where that money is going to come from, but it is campaign season.
Trump's approval ratings were low around the time of the convention. Deutsche Welle reported that according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Trump had an approval rating of just 33%. Al Jazeera English reported that Trump enters the convention with his approval rating continuing to tank, hovering at a 38 percent average in major polls. The war in Iran was cited as a political liability during the event, and some vulnerable Republican candidates avoided association with the convention.
Party leaders framed the midterms in stark terms. Fox News quoted House Speaker Mike Johnson describing the stakes: "This is not a midterm like any other, because we actually have a competition against communism now, and that's a very serious thing. It's going to animate voters coast to coast."2 Fox News also reported that Trump referred to Democrats during the convention, quoting him as saying, "These people are radical left communists."2
Speakers at the convention included JD Vance, whose appearance drew attention amid discussion of future party leadership.
