As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Republicans appear nervous about their prospects in November. Attempting to rally conservatives, the GOP is holding an unprecedented midterm convention, complete with outrageous speeches and promises.
Trump’s trillion-dollar pledge draws skepticism, reminders of broken promises
President Trump spoke Wednesday night at the first-ever Republican midterm convention, being held in Dallas. Capping an evening of Republicans, and even one Democrat, riling up the conservative crowd, President Trump ended the first night of the convention in typical Trump fashion. The president defended and boasted about his unpopular war with Iran. Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico, while still insulting Paxton’s appearance. And in a wild moment, Trump promised the crowd that, if Republicans retain control of Congress in November’s election, that he would send checks of $5000 each to every adult American in the country. “So, if the Republicans win, you win with us and you get $5000. It will be called the Trump dividend,” the president pledged. “Now, all we have to do is win,” he told the Republican crowd.
Trump’s promise immediately drew criticisms and skepticisms. Users of social media platform X added context to a video of Trump’s promise, noting that Trump has promised large checks for Americans that never materialized. “Important Context: Trump has previously promised $5000 DOGE checks and $2000 tariff rebate checks, only to deny he ever promised those checks and never follow through.” Even Fox News host Bret Baier challenged the promise during a convention interview of Vice President JD Vance. “Trump’s $5,000 dividend would cost $1.3 trillion,” Baier said. “People are saying Trump is trying to bribe voters.”
Tim Scott, John Fetterman ripped for convention remarks
Trump’s sudden trillion-dollar promise came at the end of a wild evening. Among the speakers going before Trump was South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, whose loud, performative speech was quickly roasted online. “Tim Scott nearly concludes his speech by screaming a bunch of weird s**t,” posted the popular Acyn account.
“there are no words for how over the top Tim Scott’s Trumpapalooza performance is,” said independent journalist Aaron Rupar. “it’s an SNL cold open.”
“Tim Scott is trying to out-hulk Hulk Hogan’s filthy “speech” to the 2024 RNC,” commented environmental scientist Bo Gardiner. “Just evil hate.”
Another polarizing appearance was that of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who appeared via video to introduce his fellow Republican counterpart, Sen. David McCormick of Pennsylvania. Fetterman also vowed to work with President Trump, and his assurance that he remains a Democrat drew criticism for his apparent rightward shift.
While the conservative crowd in Dallas responded enthusiastically to Trump’s promises, Scott’s yells and Fetterman’s video, they are receiving a much more mixed set of reactions outside the convention hall. Many people are looking at the first night of the GOP’s unprecedented midterm convention with skepticism, viewing the event as a set of empty promises and performances from a Republican Party that is nervous about its chances in November.
