The Republican National Committee’s Instagram page has been a constant stream of MAGA iconography in the lead-up to the midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. With illustrations of Donald Trump riding a stallion and waving an American flag, the page set the tone for what was to come. The president may not be on the ballot in November, but the convention was explicitly designed to be a celebration of his legacy, as stated by chairman Joe Gruters.
Upon arriving at the convention in the scorching Texas heat, with temperatures soaring above 100°, the absence of Trump’s image on the jumbotron outside the arena was noticeable. However, the media credentials featured a large photo of the president, and the arena’s corridors were adorned with blow-up photos of Trump in various iconic poses. The merchandise stand sold a variety of Trump-themed items, from hats declaring ‘TRUMP WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING’ to mousepads depicting Trump as a cowboy. The atmosphere was electric, with MAGA hats outnumbering Stetsons and a portly man wearing a ‘Make America Hot Again’ cap.
The Trump-Centric Convention
This convention was a departure from the typical midterm election strategy. Normally, a party would urge its candidates to focus on their own races and distance themselves from a president with low approval ratings. However, Trump rejected this approach, preferring to make the midterm election about himself. The convention was more of a Trump rally than a traditional political event, with no platform being debated or candidates being nominated.
The president was preceded by a series of conservative stars, including Adam Carrola and Ken Paxton. The crowd, which didn’t quite fill the American Airlines Center, responded enthusiastically to familiar buzzwords. The defining policy of Trump’s second term, the military excursion in Iran, was notably absent from the discussions. The fact that none in his party dared to mention this historic achievement, even in this room packed with MAGA faithful, spoke volumes about the toxicity of the war.
Trump’s Marathon Speech
Trump took the stage as the last speaker of the night, delivering a marathon speech that lasted over an hour and a half. He reveled in diverting from the written speech, riffing about various topics and reassuring the crowd that the arena was full. He pivoted seamlessly from one topic to another, from mocking Democrats to discussing transgender athletes. His most memorable riff centered on James Talarico, whom he dubbed ‘Talafreako’ to the delight of the crowd.
Despite the enthusiastic crowd, it was hard to see how this event would help his party in November. One top Republican operative close to the White House grumbled that Trump doesn’t care about Republicans winning the midterms. The operative pointed out that Trump’s focus on the ballroom and the war with Iran, along with his trade war with Canada, was not helpful for the party. The president did offer Republicans a $5,000 ‘dividend’ payment to every American adult if Republicans retain control of the House and the Senate in November. However, the legality and feasibility of this promise were questioned by experts.
The Economic Impact of the ‘Trump Dividend’
The proposed $5,000 checks, or ‘Trump dividend,’ would cost more than $1 trillion. Experts are divided on the legality of such a proposal. John Day, a former prosecutor, expressed doubts that Trump’s proposal constitutes a bribe to voters. However, others, like Barbara McQuade and Michael McAuliffe, former federal prosecutors, called the dividend ‘suspect in many ways’ and potentially illegal.
This isn’t the first time Trump has promised such payouts. Last year, he proposed $5,000 checks from money the Department of Government Efficiency cut from federal government spending. However, analysis showed that DOGE didn’t lead to big savings, and federal spending still increased. Trump also proposed tariff refunds, but these never materialized. The economic impact of such a dividend is also a concern, with experts warning of potential inflation and significant challenges in financing such a proposal.
The convention in Dallas was a clear indication of Trump’s enduring influence on the Republican Party. Despite his absence from the ballot, his presence was felt throughout the event, shaping the party’s strategy and messaging. The focus on Trump’s legacy and accomplishments, rather than the candidates and their platforms, raised questions about the party’s direction and its chances in the upcoming midterm elections.
