Star Metro - Trump takes center stage as Republicans fight midterm tide

The two-day gathering, dubbed "Trumpapalooza," is designed to persuade the Republican leader's supporters that he is effectively on the ballot on November 3, when Republicans risk losing the House of Representatives and face a fierce fight to retain the Senate.

"We're going to have a tremendous crowd tonight -- sold out," said Trump, who arrived to give the keynote speech in Dallas, Texas.

"We've done things that have never been done in the first term -- or the second term, frankly -- of a president."

Decision Desk HQ projects Democrats to win the House 230-205 and the Senate to finish 51-49 in their favor in November.

Trump was speaking on both convention nights at the American Airlines Center.

Vice President JD Vance, cabinet members, congressional leaders and candidates in closely watched House and Senate races were also on the program.

But Trump's approval rating has fallen into the low 30s in recent polling and some Republican candidates have kept away from the event.

Trump's challenge now is to mobilize voters loyal to him without alienating independents already souring on his presidency amid inflation woes, gasoline prices topping $4 a gallon and the war with Iran.

Inside the American Airlines Center, there was little sign of Republican anxiety about November.

The convention even featured a video address from a rogue Democratic senator John Fetterman, who has been increasingly at odds with his own party's left wing over its Israel policy.

His appearance ramped up talk of a possible defection, which could undermine the Democrats' hopes of seizing the Senate.

Republicans highlighted tax cuts and immigration enforcement, touting boosted manufacturing and lower prescription drug prices.

One of the main talking points was the danger of empowering what speakers characterized as a dangerously far-left Democratic Party.

The message was given an unusual bipartisan assist by Fetterman, who called socialism "anti-American," while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that American leftists want to make their country a "hellscape" like Venezuela or Cuba.

- Political headwinds -

The cavernous arena was festooned with Trump posters as supporters milled around in sequined jackets patterned with his name, image and the American flag, some topped with ten-gallon hats.

Food stalls hawked overpriced snacks while merchandise stands did brisk business in t-shirts, mugs, posters and copies of the latest literary offering from the Trump clan, "Under Siege" by the president's second son, Eric.

Despite the political headwinds facing Republicans, the mood was festive. Chants of "USA! USA!" -- familiar from Trump's campaign rallies -- echoed around the hall as the national anthem opened the program.

Large gaps remained in the stands, although the arena filled steadily as afternoon turned into evening.

Susan Kokinda, 77, a conservative podcaster who traveled to the gathering from Michigan, told AFP she expected Republicans to "do just fine" in November.

"The conventional wisdom is the party in power loses. But I always say Donald Trump is not a conventional president, and he's reshaping the Republican Party," she said.

The gathering is the first Republican national convention held specifically for a midterm election, although no candidates will be nominated and no formal party business is planned.

Instead, organizers have constructed what amounts to a two-night television rally touting Trump's record and Republican candidates.

More than 100 House members and candidates were expected, with over 50 speakers or presentations scheduled each night.

Trump's promised national television showcase faces an unusually formidable rival, however: both convention nights coincide with the opening games of the NFL season.

V.Jackson--SMC