Trump wants to make this midterm year ‘special’ to avoid losing Republican control of Congress

Trump wants to create this midterm year.

Key points

• Culture Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press, Steven Sloan, Associated Press, Joey Cappelletti, Associated Press, Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press June 24, 2026.
• The Senate Appropriations Committee chairman will be turning in his gavel in January 2028, deciding to step away from the Mississippi Legislature after five terms.
• Presidents past have acknowledged their midterm losses – Barack Obama called his 2010 setbacks a "shellacking, " George W.
• But Trump often refuses to accept defeat, including his false claims that he, rather than Joe Biden, won the 2020 election.
• Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the House GOP Whip, roused the crowd by angrily name-checking incumbent Democratic Rep.

Trump wants to create this midterm year 'special' to avoid losing Republican control of Congress.

By: Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press, Michelle L. Cost, Associated Press – September 10, 2026.

President Donald Trump gestures as he finishes his speech at the Republican convention Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez).

Republicans are imploring voters to consider the GOP accomplishments. They warn of what's coming if Democrats seize power.

DALLAS (AP) – Republicans at their midterm convention know that history is not on their side this election season, but they are counting on President Donald Trump and his two-day extravaganza in Dallas to rally voters to protect their House and Senate majorities.

They spent the first night denouncing Democrats as extremists before Trump capped Wednesday with a speech saying the choice this election is "very, very simple" and making the outlandish promise of $5, 000 to each American adult, if his party wins.

Such a proposal could cost more than $1 trillion at a time when the nation faces a record $40 trillion debt and even some Republicans balked at the idea of tying direct payments to election results. Joe Lonsdale, a prominent donor and activist who supports much of what Trump has done in office, remarked on X that he is "strongly against bread and circus bribes."

Thursday's lineup is projected to feature numerous of the same themes and includes a keynote from Vice President JD Vance and closing remarks from Trump.

Republicans are trying to overcome voters' reservations concerning the economy and the war with Iran, and plenty of still see solidarity with Trump as their best shot at winning in November despite the president's low approval ratings.

"The midterms are not supposed to be won by the sitting president, " Trump acknowledged during a lengthy primetime speech.

But he predicted this one will be "something very special, " and encouraged voters to cast their ballots as if they were voting for him. "Pretend I'm on the ballot, " he remarked.

For context, a roster of Republican lawmakers, some of them the most electorally endangered in the country, took their turns Wednesday echoing warnings that tax cuts and immigration enforcement are all at risk if Democrats win. Plenty of others skipped the confab altogether, and the party is competing for attention with another American institution, the National Football League. It kicked off its season this week.

Democrats, holding their own events around the city, portrayed the Republicans as out of touch with voters' reservations concerning high rates and the ethics of the Trump administration.

"We want to ensure that people can actually live their lives, be able to work, have access to healthcare, " remarked Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, "and the president's more interested in sending bizarre, deranged social media posts and having his party in Dallas." They're showcasing accomplishments and warning of what's to come.

Vance's keynote will be closely watched for any hints regarding his political aspirations. The vice president has demurred on whether he will run for president in 2028, but he's widely projected to pursue a campaign as the heir to Trump's political movement.

For context, the vice president, who additionally serves as the Republican National Committee's finance chair, raised $2 million for the party earlier Thursday at a fundraiser in Dallas, according to a person familiar with the event who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

For context, the second night of the convention is projected to delve deeply into what House Speaker Mike Johnson calls the "Contrast for America, " as Republicans showcase what they call their "Big Beautiful Bill" of tax breaks and spending cuts, and warn of a future if Democrats take control.

When another Republican leader, Newt Gingrich, offered a Contract with America, the campaign slogan is a throwback to an earlier era. This time, rather than presenting a detailed list of priorities, Republicans are drawing a contrast with the Democrats. This person they contend are too far left and would focus on investigating the Trump administration.

"This is what we're talking about when we say common sense versus crazy communists, " remarked Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., warning of impeachments ahead if Republicans stay home. "Are you going to let that happen?" he asked.

Plenty of in the crowd, filled with MAGA gear and cowboy hats, roared back, "No!"

Republicans have been quick to portray all Democrats as in line with their most liberal candidates, particularly a new generation, some backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. Still, one Democrat, outlier Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, joined by video address, saying he would always reject extremes.

Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the House GOP Whip, roused the crowd by angrily name-checking incumbent Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar from Minneapolis and Senate Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, along with New York City's Mayor Zohran Mamdani, three of the nation's most prominent Muslim politicians.

"If you're not happy here, then get the hell out, " he remarked. Trump hopes the convention will support GOP buck historical trends.

With the Republican majorities in the House and Senate both at risk this fall, the president's agenda for his final two years in office is additionally at stake. The margins in Congress are projected to be narrow, with a few seats in a shrunken map of competitive races determining the outcome.

Presidents past have acknowledged their midterm losses – Barack Obama called his 2010 setbacks a "shellacking, " George W. Bush labeled his a "thumping."

But Trump often refuses to accept defeat, including his false claims that he, rather than Joe Biden, won the 2020 election. One of the plenty of residents he pardoned for their actions in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, former Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, appeared at the convention.

According to Trump on Wednesday, in this election, "all that matters is that we are united."

He predicted that "the great American majority is going to stand up and continue to Create America Great Again. And we will create our voices heard, perhaps like never before."

Mascaro documented from Washington. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Thomas Beaumont and Jamie Stengle in Dallas, Will Weissert, Steven Sloan, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, JJ Cooper in Phoenix, Bill Barrow in Atlanta, Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Hannah Fingerhut in Des Moines, Iowa, and Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia, contributed to this report. Regarding the Author(s). Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press. Michelle L. Cost, Associated Press. News Jill Colvin, Associated Press September 9, 2026.

Republicans gather in Dallas for two-day midterm convention billed as a 'Trump-a-Palooza'.

Organizers describe it as a showcase for Trump's successes and Republican causes. The convention features speeches from Trump, his eldest son and other party leaders. More From This Author. DC Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press July 22, 2026.

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Trump signs bill funding the Department of Homeland Security, ending record shutdown. News Jeremy Pittari September 10, 2026.

Redistricting hearing at Alcorn State draws backing for continued apply of racially gerrymandered legislative, congressional districts. Elections Frank Corder September 8, 2026.

Hopson won't seek re-election to state Senate or run for Attorney General.

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee chairman will be turning in his gavel in January 2028, deciding to step away from the Mississippi Legislature after five terms.

News Collin Binkley, Associated Press, Jonathan J. Cooper, Associated Press September 3, 2026.

In short, trump wants to make this midterm year ‘ special’ to avoid losing Republican is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.