Trump implores GOP to 'pretend' he's on November ballot at first night of midterm convention

President Donald Trump urged his supporters to pretend he is on the ballot during his speech at the GOP midterm convention in Dallas. He urged Republicans to defy the trend of the sitting president's party losing seats in midterms and promised $5,000 direct payments to all American adults if Republicans keep control of both chambers of Congress.

Republicans highlighted Democrats as an increasingly radical party with extreme candidates who hate American culture. Trump warned that if Republicans lose in November, they will be "going through hell just like we did two years ago." However, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania criticized the party's extremism. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican running for reelection, was not in attendance but her party faced a tough midterm.

Republicans traveled from battleground districts to Texas to support the convention. Many House Republicans hoped to benefit from Trump's ability to energize low-propensity Republican voters. A surprise video appearance by Sen. Fetterman pushed back on his party's far-left stances. Trump defended his decision to attack Iran, suggesting it could prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon.

He also joked about renaming the Strait of Hormuz the "Trump Strait." Despite affordability concerns, Trump vowed to aggressively campaign for Republicans in the final stretch of the midterm elections.