# Trump insists messy GOP convention will be ‘HOT’ – but dozens of Republicans are skipping the ‘sold-out’ event

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/trump-insists-messy-gop-convention-will-be-hot-but-dozens-of-republicans-are-skipping-the-sold-out-event/
- Published: 2026-09-09T21:42:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-10T04:05:59+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16117763/Trump-insists-messy-GOP-convention-HOT-dozens-Republicans-skipping-sold-event.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Dozens of Republicans are skipping Trump's Dallas midterm convention
- Surveys show up to two-thirds of GOP lawmakers may not attend
- High ticket costs, up to $100,000, deterred many attendees

## Summary

Dozens of Republicans are boycotting Donald Trump's midterm convention in Dallas despite the president insisting the two-day event is "totally sold out" and "HOT". The convention, the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm gathering, matters because the scale of the no-shows undercuts Trump's messaging just weeks before the November elections and highlights divisions within the party over how closely vulnerable candidates want to be associated with him.

The event runs Wednesday and Thursday at Dallas's American Airlines Center, with Trump headlining both nights and Vice President JD Vance speaking on the opening evening. Notable absentees include Senators Susan Collins and John Cornyn, both facing tough races, along with First Lady Melania Trump; surveys found at least 45 of 70 Republicans contacted by Politico and a majority of over 50 approached by NBC News said they would not attend or were undecided, with organisers admitting they don't know final numbers. Steep costs, including a reported $25,000 VIP ticket price rising to $100,000 for top packages, were cited by lawmakers such as Congressman Tim Burchett as a deterrent, with many preferring to spend campaign funds locally instead.

## Coverage

- [Daily Mail: Trump insists messy GOP convention will be ‘HOT’ – but dozens of Republicans are skipping the ‘sold-out’ event](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16117763/Trump-insists-messy-GOP-convention-HOT-dozens-Republicans-skipping-sold-event.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)
- [The Hill: Live updates: Republicans converge on Dallas for Trump's midterm convention](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6077751-live-updates-trump-republican-midterm-convention-dallas/)
- [The Hill: Trump snaps at ABC reporter over question on Republicans avoiding GOP convention](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6080068-republicans-skip-midterm-gop-rally/)

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