Trump hosts 'Trumpapalooza' before the midterms in Dallas

In Dallas, Texas, the first Republican convention ahead of the midterms, dubbed "Trumpapalooza," is taking place. This two-day event aims to highlight the successes of the Trump administration and bolster support for the upcoming elections. A key focus of the gathering is mobilizing the voter base of the former president.

Throughout the event, Trump remains actively involved, offering attendees in his speech a so-called "Trump dividend" of $5,000 to every adult in the U.S. in the event of an election victory. This is intended to create incentives and motivate voters to engage in the upcoming congressional elections.

Despite the enthusiasm among some Republicans, several candidates from contested districts have avoided attending the gathering. This is due to concerns about the negative perception associated with Trump's influence and unresolved financial aspects of the event.

The Democrats, who are also keeping an eye on the event, express concerns, labeling the gathering a "celebration of failure." They see it as an opportunity to highlight the political mistakes and setbacks faced by Republicans under Trump's leadership and to assess what has gone wrong.

The convention, which is combined with a fundraising event, aims to prepare Republican candidates for the elections happening in less than two months. Attendance is viewed as strategically important to increase the party’s visibility and mobilize supporters.

The Republican base is urged to identify with Trump and view him as a central figure in the upcoming elections. This is reinforced by a call to behave as if Trump were on the ballot, as the party attempts to set the course ahead of the elections and secure voter loyalty.