The Republican Party’s first-ever midterm convention ended Thursday night in Dallas with Vice President JD Vance drawing chants about 2028, President Donald Trump making one final appeal for November turnout, and Texas Republican leaders using the national stage to argue that the stakes extend well beyond control of Congress.
The Dallas Express was on-site throughout the two-day gathering at American Airlines Center, where the final day mixed campaign politics with tributes to Charlie Kirk and the victims and first responders of September 11.
Thursday also brought another round of punishing North Texas heat, and, for some areas, a welcome dose of rain.
Dallas-Fort Worth reached 101 degrees Thursday, tying the September 10 record set in 2014, according to the National Weather Service. The official DFW observation site recorded no measurable rainfall, but the NWS reported scattered thunderstorms moving through portions of North Texas during the afternoon and evening. Rain fell in parts of the region as convention activities continued.
Readers can watch the convention through the Republican National Committee’s official convention livestream and video page.
Vance Draws ‘48’ Chants
Vance received one of the strongest reactions of Thursday night when he took the stage during the convention’s final hour.
The crowd greeted him with chants of “JD,” and at one point attendees began shouting “48,” a reference to the person who will become the nation’s 48th president after Trump leaves office.
Vance smiled before redirecting the audience toward the election immediately ahead.
“We gotta take care of business this November and then we’ll worry about what comes next,” Vance said.
The moment offered a glimpse of a question likely to become increasingly important after the midterms: who will eventually inherit Trump’s position as the dominant figure in the Republican Party?
For Thursday night, Vance kept his focus on November.
He urged Republicans to preserve the political coalition built around Trump even when voters disagree with the administration on individual issues, while weaving together themes of immigration, culture, family and faith.
Vance also spoke about wanting American families broadly to have the same opportunities and security he wants for his own family.
The vice president later spoke about Charlie Kirk, whose assassination exactly one year earlier became one of the emotional undercurrents of the convention’s final day.
Charlie Kirk Remembered One Year Later
Thursday marked one year since Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking to students at Utah Valley University.
The Dallas Express reported earlier Thursday that Kirk’s life and legacy were set to take center stage during the convention.
The official Day 2 schedule placed Pastor Lucas Miles, vice president of TPUSA Faith, in the 5 p.m. hour, followed by a video tribute to Kirk.
The tribute drew chants of “Charlie” from attendees inside American Airlines Center.
Vance later spoke about Kirk and his family while encouraging Republicans not to walk away from the political coalition because of disagreement over a single issue.
Trump had also honored Kirk during his Wednesday night address, one of several major moments covered in The Dallas Express’ Day 1 recap.
Patrick, Cruz And Abbott Put Texas In The Spotlight
Texas leaders occupied several of Thursday’s most prominent speaking slots.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appeared during the convention’s opening hour and argued that the approaching election represented something deeper than an ordinary partisan contest.
“This election coming up is not about politics,” Patrick told attendees. “It’s about darkness, and it’s about light.”
Patrick also pointed to Texas’ business climate, tax policies and lack of a state income tax while making the case for continued Republican control.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz followed during the 4 p.m. hour with a speech centered heavily on communism, Islamism and what he characterized as threats to the Constitution.
“Shariah law has no place in America,” Cruz said, drawing loud applause. “Shariah law is fundamentally inconsistent with the Constitution, and we need to stand together and stop it now.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott later characterized November in similarly stark terms.
“This election is a choice between common sense and crazy,” Abbott said.
He pointed to border security, law enforcement, restrictions involving foreign ownership of Texas land and other policies enacted under Republican leadership.
“Common sense always wins,” Abbott said. “It will win this year, too.”
The Texas-heavy program also included Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson during the 7 p.m. hour.
Johnson used his appearance in his home city to explain why he changed political parties in 2023 and to highlight the priorities he said drew him to the Republican Party.
“I chose to join a party that believes in some fundamental truths: That public safety must be our top priority, that economic freedom is vital, that taxpayers and families deserve respect, and that pro-business policies create jobs and opportunity,” Johnson said.
The Dallas mayor, who switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party while in office, has repeatedly emphasized public safety, economic development and reducing homelessness as central issues for the city.
As The Dallas Express reported in its Day 2 preview, Thursday’s official lineup contained 56 speakers or program elements, compared with 53 on Wednesday.
Other featured participants included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Donald Trump Jr., according to the RNC schedule.
Convention Pauses For September 11
Politics temporarily gave way to remembrance during the 6 p.m. hour.
The RNC program included a video marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, followed by an appearance involving Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller and presidential tenor Christopher Macchio.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York, at the Pentagon and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The observance came one day before Friday’s anniversary and provided one of the more solemn moments of the two-day gathering.
Trump Returns With One Final Appeal
After Vance finished his remarks, Trump returned to the stage during the convention’s closing hour.
His central message was straightforward: Republicans have to vote.
“Go out and vote,” Trump told supporters.
The instruction brought the convention back to the theme Trump had established during his lengthy opening-night address.
As The Dallas Express reported from Day 1, Trump repeatedly asked supporters Wednesday to treat the November 3 midterms as though his own name were still on the ballot.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said Wednesday.
Trump also revisited his newly announced proposal for a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for American adults if Republicans retain control of Congress. The President introduced the proposal Wednesday, saying it would be tied to revenues generated by tariffs and foreign investment.
As The Dallas Express previously reported, detailed eligibility requirements, a legislative vehicle and a final funding mechanism have not yet been released.
Two Days Built Around November
The Dallas gathering was unlike the presidential conventions Americans typically watch every four years.
There was no nominee to select and no traditional delegate roll call.
Instead, the RNC assembled candidates, administration officials, party leaders and supporters for what it describes as the first Republican midterm convention in American political history.
For The Dallas Express, the view from inside American Airlines Center also went beyond what appeared on television.
As The Dallas Express reported in its look inside the Dallas convention, cowboy hats, rhinestones, patriotic clothing and attendees from across the country added a distinctly Texas flavor to the gathering.
Over two days, afternoon crowds gave way to louder prime-time audiences, Texas leaders took the national stage and Trump appeared on both nights.
Day 1 established the central message: Trump may not be on the November ballot, but Republicans want the coalition that elected him to behave as though he is.
Day 2 reinforced it.
Vance urged Republicans to keep that coalition together. Patrick, Cruz and Abbott framed the stakes through a Texas lens. The convention paused to remember Kirk and the victims of September 11.
Then Trump returned with the instruction that ultimately mattered most to the party heading into November: Go vote.
Provided by Dallas Express
