President Donald Trump opened the first-ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas by urging supporters to treat the November elections as a referendum on him personally, declaring "I'm asking you to pretend that I'm on the ballot." With Republicans facing a tough political climate and control of both chambers of Congress at stake, Trump and party leaders used the opening night to tout policy achievements and cast Democrats as far-left radicals, aiming to energise the MAGA base ahead of early voting.

The headline moment came when Trump pledged a $5,000 "dividend" to every adult US citizen, funded by tariff revenue, if Republicans retain both the House and Senate, though he gave no further details beyond requiring the money to be spent domestically. He also defended his economic record, promising to bring down prices and pointing to tax cuts on tips, overtime and Social Security, alongside prescription drug price reductions, despite polling showing his approval on the economy remains negative amid inflation and rising fuel costs linked to tensions with Iran. Democrats, including the DNC's Kendall Witmer, dismissed the dividend pledge as an "empty promise" and accused Trump of favouring wealthy donors over working families.