Trump, Vance to speak at RNC Midterm Convention in Dallas

Donald Trump will open the Republican National Committee’s Midterm Convention in Dallas with a keynote address, as the party gathers unusually early in the electoral cycle to rally its leaders and delegates before November’s contests.

Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to headline the convention’s second evening. The program also includes senior Cabinet secretaries, Republican congressional leaders, lawmakers closely aligned with Trump, and candidates in competitive House, Senate and gubernatorial races. Organizers have not yet announced exact speaking times, and they expect to add more names.

Among those slated to appear are former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, now an outside political adviser to Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Attorney General Todd Blanche and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, the second-ranking Senate Republican, are also scheduled to speak.

The current roster leaves out Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump has frequently mentioned Rubio as a possible future presidential nominee or running mate for Vance, while recent reports have suggested Hegseth could consider a White House bid, a possibility denied by his aides. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who has clashed publicly with Trump in recent months, is not listed as a speaker but is expected in Dallas for fundraisers.

Texas politics will feature prominently. Sen. Ted Cruz, who has said he does not expect Vance to have the 2028 Republican field to himself, is invited to speak. So is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose Senate campaign has trailed Democrat James Talarico in polling and fundraising. Trump recently donated $10 million from his MAGA Inc. super PAC to Paxton’s campaign. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who recent polls suggest narrowly leads Democrat Gina Hinojosa, is also scheduled to appear.