Watch Live: Trump Speaks Tonight at the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas (Sept. 9)

President Donald Trump will deliver the opening-night keynote Wednesday as Republicans begin their two-day midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. The president is scheduled to speak during the final hour of the program at the American Airlines Center, with appearances by congressional candidates, party leaders and administration officials throughout the evening. Programming begins at 4 p.m. Eastern and runs until 10 p.m.

This is not a traditional presidential nominating convention and is considerably more elaborate than a typical campaign rally. The RNC is calling it the first Republican midterm convention, with two full nights of speeches, candidate appearances and policy programming aimed at the November elections. Trump will headline Wednesday, while Vice President JD Vance will deliver Thursday’s keynote before the president returns for closing remarks.

2026 Republican Midterm Convention: Night 1

Watch Live: Trump at the Republican Midterm Convention

Watch the first night of the Republican Midterm Convention below. The program begins at 4 p.m. Eastern, with Trump’s keynote scheduled during the final hour. The president is expected to set the tone for the two-day gathering before returning Thursday for the convention’s closing remarks.

Alternate Stream Link: Watch directly on YouTube

Wednesday, September 9: Full Convention Schedule

The RNC has released the following speaking order for Night 1. Speakers are grouped into hourly blocks, with Trump’s keynote scheduled for the final hour. All times are Eastern, and individual speaking times may change.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET

• Joe Gruters, RNC Chairman
• Heather Washburne, Host Committee President
• Pastor Jack Graham
• Rep. Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)
• Carlos De La Cruz, House candidate (TX-35)
• Everyday American, former Democrat turned America First grassroots leader
• HUD Secretary Scott Turner
• Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13)
• Rep. Derrick Van Orden (WI-03)

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET

• Everyday Americans, border residents and supporters of frontline law enforcement
• House Majority Leader Steve Scalise
• House Majority Whip Tom Emmer
• Michael Whatley, Senate candidate (NC)
• Everyday Americans, medical professionals
• Sen. Tim Scott
• Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen
• Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET

• Rep. Brandon Gill (TX-26)
• Pastor Lorenzo Sewell
• Paul Perez, National Border Patrol Council President, and NBPC members
• Ken Paxton, Senate candidate (TX)
• Rep. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08)
• Everyday Americans, factory worker, working mother and manufacturing success story
• Everyday American, retiree and senior tax-relief beneficiary

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET

• Sen. Jon Husted, Senate candidate (OH)
• T.W. Shannon, Oklahoma lieutenant governor candidate
• Sen. Dave McCormick
• Everyday Americans, factory workers, steel union members and shipbuilders
• Mike LiPetri, House candidate (NY-03)
• Rep. Mike Collins, Senate candidate (GA)
• Todd Blanche

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET

• Dr. Mehmet Oz
• Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida governor candidate
• Jay Feely, House candidate (AZ-01)
• Capt. Mike Bouchard Jr., House candidate (MI-10)
• Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
• Everyday American, working mother and economic policy advocate

9:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET

• Presidential Keynote: President Donald Trump

Speaker times are approximate and the program remains subject to change.

What Is the Republican Midterm Convention?

National party conventions are normally held during presidential election years, when delegates formally nominate presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The Dallas gathering has a different purpose. The RNC says it is the first Republican midterm convention and is using the event to showcase its candidates, the Trump administration’s record and the party’s agenda heading into November.

The format falls somewhere between a national political convention and a large campaign rally. Instead of a single Trump speech, Republicans have scheduled two six-hour programs featuring elected officials, candidates, administration figures and everyday Americans. Trump delivers Wednesday’s keynote, while Vance headlines Thursday before the president returns for closing remarks.

The convention comes with the November 3 midterms less than two months away, when control of Congress and dozens of governor’s offices will be decided. Follow our 2026 midterm election coverage for the latest Senate, House and governor race information.