Vice President JD Vance will deliver the second-night keynote Thursday as the Republican Midterm Convention wraps up in Dallas, Texas. President Donald Trump, who headlines Wednesday’s opening night, will return for closing remarks following Vance’s address. Both are scheduled during the final hour of the six-hour program at the American Airlines Center.
The two-night event is an unusual addition to the midterm calendar. Rather than a traditional presidential nominating convention, Republicans have built a convention-sized campaign event around the administration’s agenda, party candidates and the approaching November elections. Thursday’s program includes House and Senate candidates, congressional leaders, administration officials and a tribute to Charlie Kirk before the final primetime addresses.
2026 Republican Midterm Convention: Night 2
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Event: Republican Midterm Convention, Night 2
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Programming begins: 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT
Keynote and closing remarks: 9–10 p.m. ET / 8–9 p.m. CT
Featured speakers: Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump
Live Stream: Watch Below
Tickets: Request tickets
Watch Live: JD Vance and Trump at the Republican Midterm Convention
Watch the second night of the Republican Midterm Convention below. Programming begins at 4 p.m. Eastern, with Vance’s keynote and Trump’s closing remarks scheduled during the final hour. The exact speaking times may shift depending on how the earlier portions of the program run.
Alternate Stream Link: Watch directly on YouTube
Thursday, September 10: Full Convention Schedule
The RNC has released the following speaking order for Night 2. Speakers are grouped into hourly blocks, with Vance’s keynote and Trump’s closing remarks 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 Robert Jeffress
- Laurie Buckhout, House candidate (NC-01)
- Everyday American, law-enforcement veteran, father and working-class advocate
- Rep. Jason Smith (MO-08) and Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07)
- Greg Cunningham, House candidate (NM-02)
- Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET
- Marty O’Donnell, House candidate (NV-03)
- Everyday American, mother, conservative grassroots leader and MAHA advocate
- Derek Merrin, House candidate (OH-09)
- Rep. Lisa McClain, House Republican Conference Chair
- Rep. Richard Hudson, NRCC Chairman
- Eric Flores, House candidate (TX-34)
- Tano Tijerina, House candidate (TX-28)
- Rep. Brian Jack (GA-03)
- Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET
- House Speaker Mike Johnson
- Tribute to Charlie Kirk
- Mike Rogers, Senate candidate (MI)
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
- Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), joined by Angel Parents
- Tribute to the 25th observance of September 11
- Frank Siller, CEO of Tunnel to Towers
- Everyday American, father, truck driver and roadway-safety advocate
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM ET
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson
- Karoline Leavitt, former White House press secretary
- Everyday American, manufacturer, small-business owner and job creator
- Donald Trump Jr.
9:00 PM – 10:00 PM ET
- Vice Presidential Keynote: JD Vance
- Closing Remarks: President Donald Trump
Speaker times are approximate and the program remains subject to change.
A Convention Built for the Midterms
The Dallas gathering is not a presidential nominating convention, but it borrows much of the same format. Republicans have filled two evenings with candidate appearances, policy presentations and primetime speeches, giving the midterm campaign a national convention-style stage that parties normally reserve for presidential election years.
Trump is central to both nights despite not being on the ballot himself. He delivers Wednesday’s keynote and returns Thursday for closing remarks, while Vance headlines the second night. The broader event is intended to highlight Republican candidates running for Congress and state offices, including several appearing in competitive races across the country.
The convention concludes with the November 3 elections entering their final stretch. Follow our 2026 midterm election coverage for the latest Senate, House and governor race information.