Here's the latest
• Tonight’s keynote: Vice President JD Vance is expected to share deeply personal stories when he takes the stage tonight, including reflecting on the death of his friend Charlie Kirk a year ago as well as the birth of his fourth child, according to a source. Afterward, President Donald Trump will officially close the GOP’s midterm convention.
• Trump’s cash pledge: The president last night promised Americans $5,000 payments if Republicans retain their House and Senate majorities this fall, but he offered no details on how payments would be funded. Today, in an interview on Fox, he seemed to acknowledge the plan would require congressional approval. However, he told CBS he didn’t think lawmakers would need to sign off on it.
• CNN’s 20/26 Vision newsletter: The road to the midterms starts now. Each week, CNN’s Aaron Blake cuts through the political noise with sharp analysis of the races, candidates and trends that could decide control of Congress. Sign up here.
Vance's remarks to touch on birth of his 4th child as well as friendship with Charlie Kirk
Vice President JD Vance, who is giving the keynote address tonight at the GOP midterm convention, is expected to share deeply personal stories when he takes the stage, including reflecting on the death of his friend Charlie Kirk a year ago to the day as well as the birth of his fourth child, a person familiar with his remarks tells CNN.
Vance similarly used the 2024 RNC convention to try and give voters a closer look at his life, detailing his upbringing in a struggling steel town and the hardships of his family life.
Fact check: New Mexico candidate leaves out key context in attack on opponent
Greg Cunningham, a Republican House candidate in New Mexico, criticized his Democratic opponent, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, during his speech today.
Cunningham said of Vasquez: “He even voted against a resolution honoring the sacrifices and service of the brave men and women in law enforcement who protect, every day, our communities.”
But Cunningham left out important context about this resolution. While its focus was expressing support for law enforcement, its preamble contained statements praising the Trump administration and criticizing “leftist activists,” “progressive politicians” and “sanctuary city policies” for allegedly making law enforcement less safe.
In other words, a House member might vote against such a resolution, as the vast majority of Democrats did, because they disagreed with conservative components of it, not the general expressions of support for law enforcement. CNN has reached out to Vasquez’s campaign and House office for comment on his vote.
It’s common for parties to write resolutions in a way that would make it difficult for opponents to support but would open those opponents to campaign attacks if they voted “no.”
Top House Republican tells candidates to focus on tax cuts
Michigan Rep. Lisa McClain, the House Republican Conference chair, addressed the GOP midterm convention on Thursday and offered candidates advice on their campaign messaging, urging them to focus on tax cuts passed by the GOP-controlled Congress.
Tax policy has been a major point of emphasis for Republicans in the midterms, as they tout cuts to taxes on overtime, tips and Social Security – fulfilling a key 2024 campaign promise.
According to AdImpact data, GOP advertisers have spent more than $290 million on broadcast TV ads referencing taxation since the start of 2026, accounting for about 30% of their total broadcast TV advertising.
“Congressman Don Davis voted against the working families tax cuts, and that bill cut taxes on overtime, which I need to provide for my family,” says an individual featured in an ad from a GOP group targeting the competitive race in North Carolina’s 1st District, illustrating the tactic.
Fetterman's video appearance last night caught some of his staffers off guard
Even some of Democratic Sen. John Fetterman’s staffers were caught off guard when they saw him appearing in a video at the first night of the Republican midterm convention, according to two sources.
But they weren’t exactly surprised.
Fetterman has a long history of breaking with his own party, voting for some of Trump’s nominees and backing the president’s military actions in the Middle East. But more than that, the sources said, he is unusually close with the Senate colleague he introduced at the convention: GOP Sen. Dave McCormick.
One source involved in the convention programming said McCormick was key to securing Fetterman’s participation; another insisted it wasn’t a challenge to get the Pennsylvania Democrat on board. His decision to participate, though, infuriated Democrats, who accused him of subverting his own party’s efforts to win in November and giving Republicans a gratuitous win.
Fetterman and McCormick have forged a strong alliance in the Senate, a rarity in the Senate for lawmakers who hail from the same state and opposite parties. Pennsylvania – a quintessential political battleground – is one of just three states in the Senate with split delegations, alongside Maine and Wisconsin.
“They disagree on most ideological questions, but they have found a lot of common ground on Pennsylvania-centric issues,” McCormick adviser and CNN contributor Brad Todd told CNN on Thursday.
Vance urges GOP to "nationalize" the midterms, target Democrats as extreme
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday urged Republicans from battleground states to “nationalize” their elections by touting the Trump administration’s record and casting Democrats as extreme, according to an audio recording of closed-door remarks in Dallas obtained by CNN.
He cast the strategy as two-pronged. “We have to remind the American people of all the good things that we’re doing. And number two, we have to remind the American people of how effing crazy the Democrats have become over the past couple of years,” Vance said, alluding to Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, whom Republicans have sought to make a boogeyman in the midterms.
“I think Abdul El-Sayed may very well be the person who wins Republicans the midterms in November because he’s such a crazy person,” Vance said.
However, the vice president said he wasn’t going to tell candidates how to run their campaigns.
But Vance’s call to nationalize the midterms comes as many Americans have soured on the Trump administration, including its handling of the economy and cost-of-living issues. Trump’s approval rating stands at 35%, according to the CNN poll of polls.
DeSantis pans Trump's proposed $5,000 checks: "More inflation"
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday panned President Donald Trump’s idea to send $5,000 checks to all American adults if Republicans keep control of Congress.
DeSantis challenged Trump in their party’s 2024 presidential primary, but the two have since improved their relationship. Still, DeSantis is far from the only Republican not sold on Trump’s plan, which he announced during the first night of the GOP midterm convention.
It is unclear if DeSantis is attending the convention, but he is not in the speaking lineup. DeSantis, who is leaving office next year due to term limits, has not ruled out running for president again.
Ben Shapiro doesn't think Trump's $5K payments will happen
Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro said he does not think President Donald Trump’s promise to give Americans $5,000 if Republicans win the House and Senate in November will come to pass, calling it a “very Trump-y approach to how to do politics.”
Trump’s promise of cutting Americans a check comes at a time when many people disapprove of his handling of the economy. The cost of things like groceries, gas and housing will be top of mind for many voters when they go to the polls in the midterms.
President Donald Trump vowed to pay every American adult $5,000 if Republicans retain their House and Senate majorities in November’s midterm elections – an extraordinary offer as he tries to keep his party in power. CNN's Adam Cancryn reports.
Shapiro, who campaigned for Trump during the 2024 election cycle, has criticized some of the president’s economic positions and policies during his second term.
He said he disagrees with Trump’s move to enact sweeping tariffs on countries across the globe, one of the things that has driven some prices up. Trump’s approval ratings started to decline when he announced those tariffs, Shapiro said, because that’s when “the American people sensed the president had priorities other than pure affordability.”
Fact check: Trump's speech on first night of the Republican midterm convention
President Donald Trump made numerous false claims in his rambling Wednesday speech at the Republican midterm convention.
Trump repeated long-debunked lies about elections and immigration. He delivered a whopper on the critical subject of inflation, wrongly saying “almost every item” is getting cheaper even as prices continue to rise. He falsely claimed to have kept “every single promise” he made on the campaign trail. And he delivered a smattering of baseless attacks on Democratic candidates, though also some factual ones.
Read our fact check of some of Trump’s assertions, as well as claims made by speakers who preceded him at the event in Dallas.
GOP convention hears from New Mexico candidate days after Trump floated renaming state
The convention heard a little while ago from Greg Cunningham, a top Republican recruit to flip New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.
Yet his race shows the headaches that President Donald Trump can create for Republicans in competitive districts. After Trump recently appeared to suggest renaming New Mexico as “New America,” the state’s Democrats quickly moved to make it an issue for the Trump-backed Cunningham.
The Democratic incumbent in the 2nd District, Rep. Gabe Vasquez, held a news conference Monday to pressure Cunningham to take a position on renaming the state. Cunningham responded with a video downplaying Trump’s suggestion.
Vasquez shot back, saying in an X post that Cunningham “can’t even stand up and say that he shouldn’t rename New Mexico. Spineless.”
Trump says Congress, which has authority to OK spending, isn't needed for $5K check plan
President Donald Trump said he doesn’t believe the $5,000 payments he promised Americans if Republicans retain their congressional majorities would require lawmakers’ approval.
“We think not,” Trump said in an interview with CBS when asked whether Congress would need to sign off on the payments. “I think they will do it if we needed it. But we think not.”
Congress has the authority to spend money for the federal government; it’s unclear what executive authorities Trump believes he could rely upon to cut checks for Americans.
Still, he insisted the plan was feasible, though did not spell out where the money would come from, how the program would be administered or how the spending would be tracked.
“The country is doing so well, we’ve taken in trillions of dollars in tariffs and other things. We have now over $20 trillion worth of manufacturing plants and other investments being made in the United States, which is far greater than ever before,” he said, using a figure the White House has declined to provide data to support.
Trump repeated his desire to have the money spent only in the United States, without saying how that could be enforced.
“We do have one proviso, and that’s that the money be spent… people spend their money in the United States,” he said. “We don’t want to have that money spent in other countries. We think it’s something that’s really good, popular and it’s a great infusion.”
Texas Democrat backs Trump on $5,000 checks for Americans
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor in Texas, expressed support Thursday for President Donald Trump’s idea to send $5,000 checks to every American adult – though she disagreed with it hinging on whether Republicans win the midterms.
“I support Trump’s idea to send $5,000 checks to Texans, but it can’t be about who’s in power – it has to be about giving the people their power back,” Hinojosa said in a statement.
Trump’s idea has some similarities to what Hinojosa proposed in June. She called for tapping Texas’ rainy day fund — effectively the state’s savings account — to send a $1,500 check to each Texas household.
Trump’s idea has drawn criticism from most Democrats and even some Republicans. The Democratic nominee for Senate in Texas, James Talarico, told MS NOW in an interview set to air on Thursday evening that Trump’s proposal “feels like an election year stunt.”
More Trump-linked money flows to help Republicans in midterms
A super PAC linked to President Donald Trump made new ad buys on Thursday, targeting a series of battleground House races as Trump’s political network begins distributing campaign cash from its massive stockpile.
The group, No Going Back PAC Inc., bought ad time in Michigan’s 4th district, North Carolina’s 11th district, Colorado’s 5th and 8th districts, Texas’ 34th and 35th districts, Washington’s 3rd district, and Florida’s 25th district.
The new reservations total several hundred thousand dollars and will run through late September to mid-October.
The latest move follows additional ad bookings that the super PAC made earlier this week, primarily targeting key Senate races in Michigan, Ohio, New Hampshire, Alaska, North Carolina and Georgia, also including Pennsylvania’s 10th district.
No Going Back PAC’s fall ad reservations now total nearly $56.9 million, according to AdImpact.
The group first registered with the Federal Election Commission on September 1, and has disclosed little about its fundraising so far. Its first disclosure isn’t due until mid-October. But No Going Back PAC shares a treasurer with MAGA Inc., among links reported by the New York Times between the new group and the leading pro-Trump super PAC, which reported more than $400 million in cash on hand in its most recent FEC filing.
That cash stockpile has drawn intense speculation from Republicans as they strategize about resources across a competitive midterms map.
So far, MAGA Inc. has used its money sparingly, dropping just over $800,000 to back Darline Graham for Republican Senate nomination in South Carolina and $10 million to support Ken Paxton in the unusually competitive Texas Senate race.
RNC chairman honors Charlie Kirk on anniversary of his death
Florida state Sen. and Republican National Committee chairman Joe Gruters honored the life of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk this afternoon at the Republican midterm convention.
One year ago today, a gunman shot and killed the Turning Point USA co-founder on a Utah college campus. He was 31.
Some convention attendees skeptical about Trump's promise of $5,000 payments
Arlington, Texas, small business owner Wilma May said she will find a way to spend $5,000 if President Donald Trump sends her the check, but she’d rather the federal government keep the money.
May wasn’t alone. Several convention attendees expressed skepticism of Trump’s surprise opening-night promise to give $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans hold the House and Senate in November.
Early estimates suggest the proposal would cost more than $1 trillion. San Jose, California, accountant Linda Rost appreciated that Trump was “thinking like an executive” but would have to review the government’s balance sheet before jumping onboard because “we’re basically bankrupt.” The national debt has exceeded $40 trillion.
Dallas college student Kaeden Alva’s objection wasn’t fiscal. He didn’t like that Trump was offering an incentive to elect Republicans.
Catch up on the latest political news as Day 2 of the GOP convention gets underway
As the GOP convention enters its second day in Dallas, we’re tracking the speakers and key moments from the event — along with the latest political developments unfolding elsewhere.
If you’re just tuning in, get up to speed on today’s top headlines:
Campaigns:
- A day after promising to send $5,000 dividend payments to all Americans if the GOP retained majorities in the House and Senate, President Donald Trump announced that he would distribute $500 rebate checks to nearly one million Affordable Care Act enrollees in 30 states. He also acknowledged, in an interview on Fox News, that the $5,000 payments he mentioned last night at the convention would require Congressional approval.
- Democrats are ramping up their efforts in the final stretch of midterm season. Kamala Harris will keynote a Fulton County Democrats dinner and stump with Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff at the end of October, capping off a spate of appearances on the trail for a select group of candidates.
- Meanwhile, the Supreme Court sided with opponents of a Republican-friendly congressional map in Missouri, rejecting a plan that could have given the GOP an extra seat in the House of Representatives.
Economy:
- Oil prices surged Thursday, with Brent crude hitting $107 per barrel for the first time since May, as traders brace for a more prolonged supply shock caused by the Iran war. Oil prices have climbed back above the $100 per barrel mark this week as fighting in the Straight of Hormuz and Red Sea has intensified.
- US inflation at the wholesale level accelerated last month, as the war with Iran pushed up energy prices. The Producer Price Index, which tracks price changes received by US producers and manufacturers, increased 5.4% in the 12 months that ended in August.
Other developments:
The Trump administration has proposed sweeping changes to the US census that could leave millions out of the count, dramatically altering the allocation of congressional seats and billions in federal funds. The proposed regulation posted to the Federal Register would add a citizenship question to the 2030 census and exclude immigrants who are not legal permanent residents from the nationwide population survey.
CNN’s Tami Luhby, Edward-Isaac Dovere, John Fritze, Piper Hudspeth Blackburn, Elisabeth Buchwald, John Towfighi and Matt Egan contributed to this report.
NOW: The 2nd night of the Republican midterm convention is underway
The second night of the Republican midterm convention has kicked off in Dallas.
Vice President JD Vance is set to be the keynote speaker, with President Donald Trump giving closing remarks as Republicans work to rally their base to go to the polls in November.
Other notable speakers will include former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Donald Trump Jr.
The party has never had a midterm convention before, according to the RNC. The unprecedented event is open to the public, unlike the Republican National Convention, in which delegates formally nominate the party’s presidential candidate.
Here's who is set to speak today at the midterm convention
Day 2 of the GOP convention, which starts in 30 minutes, will feature speeches from more elected officials, congressional candidates and members of President Donald Trump’s inner circle, as well as further remarks from the president. Vice President JD Vance is the night’s keynote speaker.
Like yesterday, the lineup includes several speakers described as “everyday Americans.” Today’s schedule also includes tributes to Charlie Kirk, who was killed one year ago today, and for the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Here’s the official schedule of speakers from the organizers:
4:00-5:00 p.m. ET
- Joe Gruters, Republican National Committee chairman
- Heather Washburne, president of the Dallas host committee
- Pastor Robert Jeffress, senior pastor at First Baptist Dallas
- Laurie Buckhout, candidate for US House in North Carolina
- US Reps. Jason Smith of Missouri and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania
- Greg Cunningham, candidate for US House in New Mexico
- Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick
5:00-6:00 p.m. ET
- Marty O’Donnell, candidate for US House in Nevada
- Derek Merrin, candidate for US House in Ohio
- US Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan, House Republican conference chair
- US Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee
- Eric Flores, candidate for US House in Texas
- Tano Tijerina, candidate for US House in Texas
- US Rep. Brian Jack of Georgia
- US Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas
6:00-7:00 p.m. ET
- House Speaker Mike Johnson
- Mike Rogers, candidate for US Senate in Michigan
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
7:00-8:00 p.m. ET
- US Rep. Mike Lawler of New York
- Frank Siller, CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
8:00-9:00 p.m. ET
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., US secretary of health and human services
- Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson
- Karoline Leavitt, former White House press secretary
- Donald Trump Jr.
9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
- Vice President JD Vance to deliver the keynote address
- President Donald Trump to deliver closing remarks
Democrats want to flip congressional seats. Here's what the margins look like
The stakes are high for Republicans heading into the midterm elections in November. The party holds a razor-thin margin in the House, underscoring its need to motivate voters to turn out to the polls.
218 seats are required to have a simple majority in a full house of 435 members.
Here’s how it breaks down in the House:
- Republicans: 218 seats
- Democrats: 214 seats
- Independents: 1 seat
- Vacant: 2 seats
And in the Senate, where most actions need a 51 vote majority:
- Republicans: 53 seats
- Democrats and Independents who caucus with Democrats: 47 seats
Republicans are trying to get voters' attention ahead of high-stakes midterms
The midterm elections are quickly approaching and a lot is at stake for Republicans as they seek to defend their narrow majority in Congress.
Without President Donald Trump on the ballot and polls showing deep dissatisfaction with the country’s trajectory, GOP leaders worry it will be even more difficult to get the broad MAGA coalition that came out in 2024 to show up again.
So to get the base energized, Trump and his political team conceived of the Republican midterm convention last year as a fresh way to engage those GOP voters and convince them to head to the ballot box. The multiday event organized by the Republican National Committee also offers candidates an opportunity to showcase themselves on a national stage and juice their fundraising.
Building off the convention, Trump has promised to spend the final 30 days of the election crisscrossing the country, targeting 35 races that he believes will determine control of Congress.
Importance of timing: The RNC slotted the event near the very end of primary season and before early voting begins in most states, in hopes of getting its message across just as Americans begin to tune into the midterm contests in earnest.
Trump seems to acknowledge $5K payments would need congressional approval
President Donald Trump seemed to acknowledge that the $5,000 payments he has promised Americans if Republicans retain their House and Senate majorities this fall would require congressional approval, saying he cannot distribute the money immediately because Democrats would object.
“I’ll tell you what, because the Democrats can’t do it. Because for them it’s negative growth,” Trump told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham when asked why he doesn’t give out the money now.
“With us it’s so positive,” Trump said in the clip of the interview airing Thursday, going on to claim the country is taking in $21 trillion thanks to tariffs. (Trump has often falsely claimed there’s been “over $20 trillion” invested in the US during his second term so far, but the White House has never been able to substantiate it.)
“No country has ever taken in anywhere near that. It’s four or five times higher than the next one. All because of the beautiful word you and I love more than most others: tariffs,” he told Ingraham.
Trump floated the payments during his keynote address on the opening night of the GOP midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday, but he offered no details on how he would pay for such a move.
The pledge marks one of Trump’s most aggressive moves yet to shore up support for the GOP majority amid widespread dissatisfaction with his administration’s agenda.
