Exclusive: GOP plans socialism telethon at midterm convention
Axios
A
Axios
Original Source
The Republican Party plans to use its first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to launch a sweeping prime-time attack on Democrats, accusing them of capitulating to their radical left wing and socialist policies. With Trump's approval ratings in decline and economic concerns mounting, Republicans are betting on a "they're worse" strategy to sway voters in the upcoming midterm elections.
GOP plans socialism telethon at midterm convention
*
* Newsletters
*
* Axios Pro
* Axios Live
* The Axios Show
Axios
Axios
7 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Exclusive: GOP plans socialism telethon at midterm convention
* Alex Isenstadt
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Add Axios on Google
!Illustration of an elephant peaking out behind a "door" in the form of an American flag
*Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios*
Republicans plan to use their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to mount a sweeping, made-for-prime-time case that Democrats have become captive to their activist left, Axios has learned.
**Why it matters:** With President Trump's approval ratingin the 30s and his war in Iran weighing on the economy, Republicans don't want the Nov. 3 midterms to be just a referendum on his presidency.
* They're essentially planning a "But they're worse" campaign targeting the ascendant Democratic left and socialism.
**Driving the news:** Republicans will make progressive politicians and activists recurring characters throughout the Sept. 9-10 convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
* GOP operatives spent months compiling footage of Democratic figures — including left-wing commentator Hasan Piker and Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico — that they'll use throughout the convention to paint Democrats as outside the mainstream.
**"Our video trove is endless,"** a convention source told Axios.
* Organizers will particularly focus on Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, who backs Medicare for All and criticizes Israel.
* Trump has blasted El-Sayed, a Muslim, as a "communist" and a "man of hate" who "hates Israel." (El-Sayed, an epidemiologist, has said he's a capitalist who disagrees with Israel's actions in Gaza, not his "sisters and brothers of the Jewish faith.")
**Zoom in:** Months of polling shaped the GOP convention, organizers say.
* "Everyday Americans" will tout Republican achievements on cutting taxes, lowering prescription drug costs and improving border security — a tactic organizers say worked at the 2024 convention.
* Organizers believe that will reinforce their argument that Republicans are focused on kitchen-table issues while Democrats have been overtaken by left-wingers whose policies will hurt Americans.
* The convention will be making that argument at a time when many Republicans have been frustrated by Trump's lack of focus on the economy and affordability issues.
**Republicans will also spotlight** Trump's tax exemption for some tipped income, crime-focused urban policies and the administration's new child investment accounts.
* Other points of focus will be Vice President Vance's "anti-fraud" task force and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA movement. Trump strategists believe MAHA can again help broaden the GOP coalition.
* As for the increasingly unpopular war in Iran, the GOP will make the case that Trump has taken steps to protect Americans.
**Here's what else to expect:**
* Vance will speak the evening of Sept. 9, and Trump on Sept. 10. Trump is expected in the convention hall both nights.
* Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and some other administration officials will have big speaking roles, as will up-and-coming midterm candidates, UFC figures and celebrities.
* Unlike in 2024, when donors and delegates filled the floor, the crowd in Dallas will mostly be MAGA activists.
* The convention will commemorate the first anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
* GOP operatives Justin Caporale and Tony Sayegh are playing major organizational roles, as they did for the 2020 and 2024 conventions.
**Reality check:** The convention will test whether Republicans can move voters toward supporting Trump's domestic agenda, which polls consistently have shown is unpopular.
* In a CNN poll out last week, 73% thought Trump wasn't paying enough attention to key domestic issues. 65% said his policies were worsening economic conditions.
**The other side:** Democrats decided against holding a midterm convention.
* DNC spokesperson Kendall Witmer told Axios: "While everyday Americans struggle to pay their bills, fill up their tanks, or put food on the table, Republicans are hosting a multimillion-dollar celebration to satisfy Donald Trump's massive ego and tie vulnerable Republican candidates closer to his failed agenda."
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
What to read next
*
*
*
*
*
*
Smarter, faster on what matters.
Explore Axios Newsletters
* About Axios
* Advertise with us
* Careers
* Contact us
* Newsletters
* Axios Live
* Axios HQ
* Privacy policy
* Terms of use
*
Axios Homepage
Axios Media Inc., 2026
*
* Newsletters
*
* Axios Pro
* Axios Live
* The Axios Show
Axios
Axios
7 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Exclusive: GOP plans socialism telethon at midterm convention
* Alex Isenstadt
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Add Axios on Google
!Illustration of an elephant peaking out behind a "door" in the form of an American flag
*Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios*
Republicans plan to use their first-ever midterm convention in Dallas next month to mount a sweeping, made-for-prime-time case that Democrats have become captive to their activist left, Axios has learned.
**Why it matters:** With President Trump's approval ratingin the 30s and his war in Iran weighing on the economy, Republicans don't want the Nov. 3 midterms to be just a referendum on his presidency.
* They're essentially planning a "But they're worse" campaign targeting the ascendant Democratic left and socialism.
**Driving the news:** Republicans will make progressive politicians and activists recurring characters throughout the Sept. 9-10 convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
* GOP operatives spent months compiling footage of Democratic figures — including left-wing commentator Hasan Piker and Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico — that they'll use throughout the convention to paint Democrats as outside the mainstream.
**"Our video trove is endless,"** a convention source told Axios.
* Organizers will particularly focus on Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for Senate in Michigan, who backs Medicare for All and criticizes Israel.
* Trump has blasted El-Sayed, a Muslim, as a "communist" and a "man of hate" who "hates Israel." (El-Sayed, an epidemiologist, has said he's a capitalist who disagrees with Israel's actions in Gaza, not his "sisters and brothers of the Jewish faith.")
**Zoom in:** Months of polling shaped the GOP convention, organizers say.
* "Everyday Americans" will tout Republican achievements on cutting taxes, lowering prescription drug costs and improving border security — a tactic organizers say worked at the 2024 convention.
* Organizers believe that will reinforce their argument that Republicans are focused on kitchen-table issues while Democrats have been overtaken by left-wingers whose policies will hurt Americans.
* The convention will be making that argument at a time when many Republicans have been frustrated by Trump's lack of focus on the economy and affordability issues.
**Republicans will also spotlight** Trump's tax exemption for some tipped income, crime-focused urban policies and the administration's new child investment accounts.
* Other points of focus will be Vice President Vance's "anti-fraud" task force and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s MAHA movement. Trump strategists believe MAHA can again help broaden the GOP coalition.
* As for the increasingly unpopular war in Iran, the GOP will make the case that Trump has taken steps to protect Americans.
**Here's what else to expect:**
* Vance will speak the evening of Sept. 9, and Trump on Sept. 10. Trump is expected in the convention hall both nights.
* Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and some other administration officials will have big speaking roles, as will up-and-coming midterm candidates, UFC figures and celebrities.
* Unlike in 2024, when donors and delegates filled the floor, the crowd in Dallas will mostly be MAGA activists.
* The convention will commemorate the first anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
* GOP operatives Justin Caporale and Tony Sayegh are playing major organizational roles, as they did for the 2020 and 2024 conventions.
**Reality check:** The convention will test whether Republicans can move voters toward supporting Trump's domestic agenda, which polls consistently have shown is unpopular.
* In a CNN poll out last week, 73% thought Trump wasn't paying enough attention to key domestic issues. 65% said his policies were worsening economic conditions.
**The other side:** Democrats decided against holding a midterm convention.
* DNC spokesperson Kendall Witmer told Axios: "While everyday Americans struggle to pay their bills, fill up their tanks, or put food on the table, Republicans are hosting a multimillion-dollar celebration to satisfy Donald Trump's massive ego and tie vulnerable Republican candidates closer to his failed agenda."
*
*
*
Add Axios on Google
What to read next
*
*
*
*
*
*
Smarter, faster on what matters.
Explore Axios Newsletters
* About Axios
* Advertise with us
* Careers
* Contact us
* Newsletters
* Axios Live
* Axios HQ
* Privacy policy
* Terms of use
*
Axios Homepage
Axios Media Inc., 2026
🔗 Share Article
Tags:#الانتخابات الأمريكية#الحزب الجمهوري#ترامب#مؤتمر انتخابي#الحملة الانتخابية#السياسة الأمريكية
Source: Axios
For Context
Related reads from the same topic or latest developments
