Trump Takes Center Stage in Dallas, Demands Voters Act Like He's on Ballot

DALLAS — President Donald Trump is orchestrating a Republican convention this week designed to transform the Nov. 3 midterm elections into a referendum on his administration, even though he is not running.

Trump will speak both nights of the convention, which begins Wednesday. He will deliver the keynote address Wednesday and closing remarks Thursday, following Vice President JD Vance. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that Trump conceived the event and described it as "very instructive, very exciting."

Republicans involved in the planning said Trump has directed every detail of the program.

Trump has directly urged voters to treat him as a candidate. "What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot," he told one crowd. "Just come and vote. It's so important."

His strategy comes as his approval ratings have sunk to historic lows. Whether the convention generates more Republican enthusiasm or Democratic backlash remains the central question.

The Republican Party is promoting the event with merchandise, including $16 beer cozies depicting the 80-year-old President as the Marlboro Man, riding a horse in a white Stetson.

Republican strategist Rick Tyler, a Trump critic, said the President's dominance is inescapable. "If Trump is in the orbit then everything gets swallowed up into a black hole," Tyler said.

Trump's political organization, MAGA Inc. holds a nearly $400 million war chest but has deployed only a fraction of it. MAGA Inc. announced a $10 million expenditure for television and digital advertisements in the Texas Senate race—the first significant spending despite Republican hopes for substantial assistance in numerous tight races nationwide.

A separate organization, Securing American Greatness, has started running advertisements highlighting Trump's record as the midterms approach. These videos primarily promote Trump and offer minimal focus on Congress.

The convention will face competition for viewership. Major broadcast networks have not committed to televising most of the proceedings. The event also coincides with the NFL season kickoff, with games likely airing during both of Trump's speeches.

Republicans involved in the planning said Trump has directed every detail of the program.

Trump has directly urged voters to treat him as a candidate. "What I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot," he told one crowd. "Just come and vote. It's so important."

His strategy comes as his approval ratings have sunk to historic lows. Whether the convention generates more Republican enthusiasm or Democratic backlash remains the central question.

The Republican Party is promoting the event with merchandise, including $16 beer cozies depicting the 80-year-old President as the Marlboro Man, riding a horse in a white Stetson.

Republican strategist Rick Tyler, a Trump critic, said the President's dominance is inescapable. "If Trump is in the orbit then everything gets swallowed up into a black hole," Tyler said.