Trump vows to be at centre of US midterms: Republican convention takeaways

What the report says

President Donald Trump used the first night of a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, to place himself at the center of the November elections even though he is not on the ballot. According to Al Jazeera, the one-off event on Wednesday was designed to rally Republicans as they try to defend narrow control of the House and Senate, with Trump telling supporters to “pretend” he is running and promising to campaign in many of the most competitive races.

The gathering also highlighted the party’s messaging and its internal political stakes. Trump suggested he would make a nationwide campaign push, while also raising the possibility of a $5,000 payment to adult citizens if Republicans keep both chambers. Al Jazeera reported that the president also defended his war on Iran, despite signs of public unease and economic fallout, and repeated hard-line comments about the Strait of Hormuz and possible further action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Several embattled Republicans used the convention to appeal for help in closely watched contests, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and House candidate Monica de La Cruz. Other figures featured included Ohio and Georgia Republicans, and Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman appeared in a video introduction for GOP Senator Dave McCormick. The event also underscored how Texas functions as a fundraising hub for the party. More broadly, the convention reflected a familiar Republican strategy of tying the midterm vote to Trump’s agenda on immigration, taxes and opposition to progressive Democrats.