# Trump gets hero’s welcome by rowdy MAGA partiers as he kicks off first-ever GOP midterm convention… with several glaring absences

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trump-gets-heros-welcome-by-rowdy-maga-partiers-as-he-kicks-off-first-ever-gop-midterm-convention-with-several-glaring-absences/
- Published: 2026-09-10T06:37:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-10T12:43:29+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16118547/Trump-gets-heros-welcome-rowdy-MAGA-partiers-kicks-GOP-midterm-convention-glaring-absences.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Culture, Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Trump pledges $5,000 "dividend" to all Americans if GOP holds Congress
- Senate leader Thune and several vulnerable Republicans skipped the convention
- Trump's arrival was delayed after an Air Force One emergency slide deployed

## Summary

Donald Trump kicked off the Republican Party's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas by promising a $5,000 "Trump Dividend" for every American adult if the GOP holds both chambers of Congress in November, framing the estimated $1 trillion payout as a shareholder-style reward for economic success, provided recipients spend it domestically. He urged supporters to treat the midterms as a referendum on himself despite not being on the ballot, reflecting how closely the party's fortunes remain tied to his standing as Democrats look to exploit his weak approval ratings. The event nonetheless exposed strains within the GOP, with notable absences suggesting a less than unified front heading into the elections.

More than 20,000 people attended the opening night at the American Airlines Center, with Trump repeating his false claim to have won the 2020 election and mocking Democrats over voter ID policy, while also praising embattled Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Senate Majority Leader John Thune skipped the convention amid reported friction with Trump over stalled legislation, and vulnerable Republicans including Maine's Susan Collins, Iowa's Ashley Hinson and New Hampshire's John E. Sununu also stayed away from the main stage. The build-up was further marred by a lobbyist describing the "very bad" vibes, attendees queuing in 95-degree heat, and Trump's arrival being delayed after an emergency slide deployed on his Air Force One, though the crowd still gave him an enthusiastic reception once he took the stage.

## Coverage

- [Daily Mail: Trump gets hero’s welcome by rowdy MAGA partiers as he kicks off first-ever GOP midterm convention… with several glaring absences](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16118547/Trump-gets-heros-welcome-rowdy-MAGA-partiers-kicks-GOP-midterm-convention-glaring-absences.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)
- [The Hill: GOP midterm convention lives up to its 'Trump-a-Palooza' hype](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6080104-trump-gop-midterm-convention-dallas/)
- [The Hill: Trump implores GOP to 'pretend' he's on November ballot at first night of midterm convention](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6080107-trump-midterm-convention-dallas-dividends/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.