The Republican midterm convention may have lived up to the nickname “Trump-a-palooza” after President Donald Trump promised a $5,000 dividend for adult Americans – if Republicans maintain control of the House and Senate after the midterm election.
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“Pretend that I’m on the ballot,” Trump said in his keynote speech Wednesday, which ran for just under two hours. “Just one more time.”
The convention in Dallas is the first of its kind for either political party, intended to energize a voter base that has largely gone stagnant in the face of rising prices and international tensions. Trump vowed to campaign in 35 battleground races that are key to Republicans retaining control of the House and Senate.
But perhaps more notable were the convention’s absences. Many Republican lawmakers and candidates bowed out of the two-day affair, and social media videos showed large sections of empty seating in the venue throughout the event. The convention comes as some Republicans worry Trump’s sinking approval ratings could bring down his endorsed candidates.
Here are four key takeaways from the convention’s first day:
The “Trump Dividend”
It was the sound bite heard around the world: Trump promised a $5,000 payment to adult U.S. citizens if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections. Such a move would cost the federal government at least $1 trillion.
“It will be called the Trump dividend, we’ll call it the Trump dividend,” Trump said. “Congratulations.”
Trump didn’t offer many details on the plan, other than a requirement to spend the money domestically. The legality of the idea is also unclear – buying and selling votes is explicitly illegal, but Trump posed the dividend as a long-term economic incentive rather than a bribe.
What’s clear from the promise is just how high the stakes are for Republicans in this election. While both chambers still appear in reach for either party, analyses are beginning to turn in Democrats’ favor. The Cook Political Report ratings show more Republican seats as toss-ups than Democratic ones in both chambers, and Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin shows Republicans trailing in nine of 12 key Senate races.
A Surprise Appearance
Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman made a surprise appearance by video to introduce fellow Pennsylvania Sen. Dave McCormick, a Republican.
“Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a common-sense Democrat. I’m always going to stand with America,” Fetterman said in the video. “I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life.”
The appearance was a shock to attendees and Democratic lawmakers alike, and is the latest in Fetterman’s ongoing conflict with Senate Democrats. Commentator Stephen A. Smith called it “spitting in the face of Democrats who elected you to office.”
Following the video’s airing, political commentator Bill O’Reilly predicted that Fetterman “is going to be a Republican.” Fetterman promised in a later statement to retain his affiliation as a Democrat even if control of the chamber shifts.
The Trump Issue
Trump’s keynote speech went where other Republican speakers didn’t go.
He repeatedly brought up the war in Iran, long considered an albatross for the Republican Party in the midterms, after a full day without mention from any other speaker. Trump floated the idea of changing the name of the Strait of Hormuz to the “Trump Strait,” in a move that echoes his recent executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”
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Trump also defended his tariffs, most notably in the ongoing trade war with Canada, and blamed Democrats for affordability issues.
Most Republican speakers who are facing reelection battles this year opted to attack their Democratic rivals rather than mention the president.
The primary exception was Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running against Democrat James Talarico in a bid to replace retiring Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton used his time to praise Trump.
“He’s delivered more for this country than anyone before, secured victories for America that no other president could, and always stood up for Texas,” Paxton said early on in his remarks.
In his speech, Trump poked fun at Paxton but also endorsed his candidacy.
“He may not dress right, he may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen,” Trump said. “But you know what he is? He’s the greatest attorney general in America, and he deserves to be your next senator.”
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Defeating Democrats
Over the course of the day, Republicans framed Democrats as “communists” and “evil” and looked to position themselves as the alternative.
Trump devoted time in his closing speech to attacking Michigan Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed in a slew of misleading or false statements.
Multiple opening-night speakers also mentioned El-Sayed in an attempt to paint the opposing party as radical. El-Sayed’s far-left ideals have put him at the center of the Democratic Party’s ideological reckoning and made him a key target for Republicans.
El-Sayed’s opponent, Republican Mike Rogers, is scheduled to speak Thursday night.
Trump also devoted time to painting a grim picture of a Democratic victory.
“If we lose, you’re going to lose your border, you’re going to lose your tax cuts, you’re going to lose your safety and security, you’re going to lose your wealth,” Trump said. “Our country is going through hell, you will be going through hell just like you did just two years ago.”
Trump is expected to give closing remarks for the convention Thursday night, though he promised they would be more concise.
“I gave you a lot of material,” Trump joked Wednesday. “I don’t have to do it twice.”
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