WATCH: 2026 Republican Midterm Convention | Night 1 – PBS

WATCH: 2026 Republican Midterm Convention | Night 1  PBS

President Donald Trump capped Wednesday’s opening night of the unusual Republican midterm convention by slamming Democrats as extremists and staunchly defending the war in Iran while making the extraordinary pledge to pay every American $5,000 if his party retains its control of both chambers of Congress after November. DALLAS (AP) — President Donald Trump capped Wednesday's opening night of the unusual Republican midterm convention by slamming Democrats as extremists and staunchly defending the war in Iran while making the extraordinary pledge to pay every American $5,000 if his party retains its control of both chambers of Congress after November. The Night 1 of the Republican midterm convention in our video player above.

The proposal, which could cost at least $1 trillion, was financially and politically implausible. But it reflected Trump's apparent calculation that he needs bold moves to revive Republicans' chances as Democrats try to take advantage of his low approval ratings in close races across the country. Trump reveled in making the upcoming elections all about himself, even though it's unclear whether that will help or hurt his party. Many Republicans are skipping the two-day affair in Dallas, while others hoped their appearance would put them in the national spotlight as they work to turn out Trump's supporters in a year without him on the ballot. "If we hand