Trump's midterm convention off to a rough start

Sep 09, 2026

The first-ever GOP midterm convention in Dallas is drawing empty seats and no-shows, a bad sign for Republicans defending tight races.

  • Organizers expected 20,000 people and hyped it as bigger than the 2024 convention; the hall is far from full.
  • Lawmakers were asked to pay $25,000 and up to attend, and prices got cut when few people bought in.
  • Of 60 candidates in competitive races contacted by CBS News, only four confirmed they would show up.
  • Trump's approval has slipped to 32% in new polling, his lowest in that survey, as voters sour on prices and the Iran war.
  • Israel, a centerpiece of the 2024 convention, is barely mentioned this time; the focus is tax cuts and culture-war fights.

Outlook: Republicans in swing seats look set to keep their distance from Trump as the midterms approach, with Democrats favored to take the House.

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