[ September 11, 2026 ]
Mike Vespa: That was wild. The energy was undoubtedly better on the final night of the GOP’s midterm convention. It was another jam-packed day with Karoline Leavitt, Donald Trump Jr., RFK Jr., and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott delivering remarks before Vice President JD Vance delivered his keynote in the 9pm block.
It didn’t disappoint. When the lights are brightest, JD delivers. We saw that in the 2024 VP debate when he handily beat Tim Walz. He delivered haymakers and brought some serious zest to the arena. It was glorious. Vance’s speech was peppered with ’48’ chants, and this moment no doubt is one of many tests to see if he has the chops to succeed Trump.
The night was also dotted with tributes to Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated a year ago today, and the 9/11 attacks. The rest was hitting Democrats for being left-wing lunatics who would ruin the economy, uproot the social order, and force their aberrant tendencies onto the rest of us.
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🚨 JUST IN: President Trump just had THOUSANDS take the midterm pledge
They all began repeating after him until he made it WAY too long to repeat 🤣
“I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves us so much he can't even breathe, that I will… pic.twitter.com/1Ud53Tbxjf
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 11, 2026
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🚨 BREAKING: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just held nothing back, saying Islamism is waging war on America and DEMOCRATS no longer care
"They used to see Israel as America's most critical frontline ally in fighting the toxic ideology of ISLAMISM, which by its own accounts is waging an… pic.twitter.com/1MgXYTrpjR
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) September 11, 2026
We are witnessing a new and dangerous red-green alliance, communists and Islamists coming together and sweeping over the Democrat Party.
They are united because they share the same enemies. They hate Christians, they hate Jews, they hate capitalism, they hate the Constitution,… pic.twitter.com/DNWXJiIqGX
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 10, 2026
Politics
Trump leads GOP midterm convention attendees in pledge to vote, warns them ‘you go to hell’ if they don’tBy Steven Nelson, NY Post, Sep. 10, 2026
He spoke for less than a half hour on the final night of the two-day event after enrapturing his crowd for nearly two hours Wednesday as he offered US citizen adults $5,000 apiece if the GOP wins.
“In 19 months, I’ve delivered on every single promise I’ve made,” Trump said in his closing appeal, in which he repeated the $5,000 “Trump dividend” offer, despite that idea receiving a horrified response from fiscal hawks in Congress.
A protester just interrupted Vice President JD Vance waving both a Mexican flag & a Palestinian Authority flag.
Without missing a beat, Vance replied, “If you love Mexico so much, then get your a** over there.”
The RNC Convention erupted with cheers & chants of, “USA!”
An… pic.twitter.com/kF19VsQO7w
— ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) September 11, 2026
“We took that dark age of America and turned it into the golden age of America,” he crowed, hailing a booming stock market, lower prescription drug prices and increased military spending.
He said his actions made the country “the energy and military superpower of the world.”
Former White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attends day 2 of the Republican Midterm Convention on Sept. 10, 2026, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Trump rattled off accomplishments including the near-elimination of illegal border crossings and ramming through Congress new tax breaks on overtime, tips and Social Security payments.
Trump convened his party’s first-ever midterm convention in a bid to reverse the well-established history of a president’s party losing seats and used the free publicity to pump swing-state and local Texas contenders.
If Democrats reclaim power, Trump said, they would “confiscate your wealth … abolish not tax on tips, no tax on overtime [and] destroy Texas oil and gas.”
Democrats would also “set loose criminals to rob, rape and kill like we had just two years ago,” Trump said.
JD Vance, wearing a blue suit and red tie, speaks at a podium.
Whether the convention meaningfully changes the election’s outcome is unclear, with some Trump allies privately expressing concern that the gathering could hurt centrists by tying regional races so closely to him.
Vice President JD Vance, who gave the night’s keynote address before Trump, received one of the strongest crowd reactions of the entire convention when he told a heckler waving a foreign flag to “get your ass over there.”
A protester throws a Mexican flag as US Vice President JD Vance speaks during the second day of the Republican National Committee midterm convention on September 10, 2026.
Vance, Trump’s heir apparent in 2028, also tackled head-on one of Republicans’ major vulnerabilities, the war with Iran, which has caused inflation and energy prices to increase.
He said the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated one year ago Thursday, strongly opposed foreign wars, but would not break with the Republican Party on that issue alone.
“ What I’m asking you to do is do what Charlie did. Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Vance said. “Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there.”
James Talarico held a campaign event in Dallas today. 19 people showed up.
5 miles away, the first RNC midterm convention is underway in an arena that holds 21,000 people. It’s packed. pic.twitter.com/D3ajqqlS8G
— Bad Hombre (@Badhombre) September 10, 2026
Quick Summary
Vice President JD Vance delivered a prime time address on the second night of the GOP midterm convention, fueling speculation about his future plans.
View moreDALLAS—JD Vance delivered a fiery, future-looking speech on the second night of the GOP midterm convention that showcased the vice president’s vision of America and will intensify speculation about his presidential aspirations.
ADVERTISEMENTThe evening lacked the big surprises unveiled Wednesday night that included a video address by Democratic Sen. John Fetterman and President Trump’s promise to pay Americans $5,000 if Republicans win in November. But it delivered poignant moments, as speakers and video tributes memorialized the anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Two parents whose daughter was allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant brought many in the audience to tears as they recounted their loss.
Some speakers sought to reach moderate and independent voters, portraying Republicans as the “common sense” party and continuing pointed attacks on Democrats whom they called communists and radicals.
Here are five takeaways from Day Two of the convention:
Vance Emphasizes Importance of a Nuclear Family
Vice President JD Vance spoke at the Republican midterm convention of the America he wants his children to inherit. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Vice President JD Vance delivered a prime time address, one of the biggest moments yet for the potential 2028 presidential candidate in front of a large audience and broadcast around the country. The crowd in the arena chanted “JD, JD, JD,” as he took the stage, prompting Vance to ask for an encore of the cheer.He was later met with chants of “48,” an apparent reference to his potential run to succeed Trump who is the 47th president.
“We got to take care of business this November. Then we’ll worry about what comes next,” Vance said in response to the chants, remaining mum about his presidential plans. Vance, 42, is a leading contender for the Republican nomination in many early polls, though he hasn’t said definitively that he will run for president.
Vance made a direct appeal to voters who may not be supportive of the Trump administration’s handling of certain issues, particularly appealing to young men, many of whom have grown frustrated with the war in Iran.
“I’m not asking anybody to agree on every single policy of the administration. What I am asking you to do is to recognize, in contrast, the radicals and recognize the achievements of the last 18 months,” Vance said.
Vance focused much of his speech on the importance of the nuclear family and the “birthright” owed to Americans, including his recently born son. “To the radicals who wish to abolish my family or any other, we say: Stay the hell away from my kids,” Vance said.
Vance’s speech was briefly interrupted by a protester who the vice president said was waving a Mexican flag. The protester was quickly drowned out by chants of “USA! USA! USA!”
“My friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your ass over there,” he said, drawing more cheers and “USA!” chants from the crowd.
Trump takes the limelight, again
Trump Makes Convention Attendees Take Voting Pledge
Play video: Trump Makes Convention Attendees Take Voting Pledge
President Trump delivered the closing remarks on the final night of the Republican midterm convention. He urged attendees to take a pledge to vote and added, ‘I don’t care if I am registered or not, I am going to cheat like hell like they do.’ Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP
AdvertisementTrump closed out the convention as the final speaker following Vance. After promising to keep his remarks brief, the president asked the crowd if he should hold to that, prompting entreaties from the crowd.
“I’m going to be a little bit brief, because I spoke for two hours last night,” Trump said. “We’re gonna have a good time listening to music because I’m getting a little bit tired of politics now.”
Despite that, Trump went on to check off his list of accomplishments in his second term, reprising many of his talking points from his speech Wednesday night. He renewed his attack on Democrats, calling them “radical” and “communists.” And, he railed against the media for saying there were many empty seats in the arena throughout the convention. He spoke for nearly 30 minutes.
Near the end of his remarks, Trump instructed the audience to follow him and recite back a pledge that they would vote in November.
“I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States that loves us so much he can’t even breathe,” Trump said, as the crowd followed along. “I am going to go out and I’m going to get my friends, my family, and we are going to vote on November third.”
“You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell,” he added.
Moments later, he wrapped up, introducing tenor Christopher Macchio to the stage to sing “America the Beautiful.” He stood on stage, looking on as balloons descended on attendees.
A night commemorating Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk Remembered at GOP Midterm ConventionConservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed a year ago at a university in Utah, was remembered by Lucas Miles, a vice president at Turning Point USA, on the second night of the Republican midterm convention in Dallas. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images
The final night of the convention was marked by the anniversary of the assassination of the influential conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Republicans made mentions of both in their speeches and there were dedicated moments to honor both Kirk and the lives lost on 9/11.Earlier in the day, Vance appeared on the “The Charlie Kirk Show” and reflected on his friendship with the Turning Point USA founder. He said he was still “pissed off” and heartbroken from his death.
Some attendees sported “Freedom” T-shirts, similar to the shirt that Kirk was wearing when he was killed. TPUSA members passed out Charlie Kirk commemorative buttons to attendees.
“Charlie is gone, but the mission lives on, and it’s our responsibility to hold the coalition together to act from our shared convictions and to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth,” said Pastor Lucas Miles, Vice President of TPUSA Faith. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, was in the VIP box on Wednesday night and was acknowledged by Trump. On Thursday night, she was home with her family.
Throughout the convention, speakers disparagingly referenced Muslim figures who have ascended in the Democratic Party such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, both of whom are Muslim, and painted them as extremists aligned against America. They warned against the spread of Sharia law, and claimed Democrats had embraced an Islamist ideology that wants to destroy Western civilization.
Michigan Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers invoked the memory of the 9/11 attacks as he slammed his Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed for his ties to Hasan Piker, the controversial Twitch streamer who said the U.S. “deserved” the attacks. “Together, they attack America. They excuse extremism. They treat our country like it’s the villain,” Rogers said.
El-Sayed, who previously campaigned with Piker, has distanced himself from the streamer’s comments about Sept. 11, calling them “dumb.”
Sen. Ted Cruz, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, accused the Democratic Party of succumbing to “communists and Islamists” who hate Christians, Jews, capitalism and America. He also invoked 9/11 as he railed against Democrats.
“And on 9/11, could anyone have imagined that Comrade Mamdani would be the mayor of New York?” Cruz said.
Rep. Mike Lawler, one of the most vulnerable House Republicans, delivered a speech aimed at an unexpected audience as he stood in the arena filled with Republicans’ most loyal supporters. He sought to court “common sense Democrats and Independents across the country, tuning in and still undecided about their votes in November,” he said.
Those people, he said, “are deeply concerned about the rise of socialism and extremism on the left” but “aren’t exactly sold on Republicans either.”
The New York Republican spoke of his clash with Trump and Republican leadership last year over the size of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction in the president’s sweeping tax legislation, noting how “the president and I don’t always agree.” Trump publicly joked that he was a “pain in the ass” after Lawler successfully lobbied to raise the SALT deduction, an increase that offers higher tax savings to high-income Democratic-leaning regions.
Lawler is one of only three Republicans in the country to represent a district that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
The lawmaker then introduced two parents and their daughter from his district to share the story of their other daughter who was killed earlier this year in Chicago. Prosecutors have charged an undocumented immigrant with her killing. Jessica, Tom and Madelon Gorman spoke of 18-year-old Sheridan, drawing tears from many in the crowd throughout their heartfelt speech about her kindness toward others. They ended the speech imploring people of all political affiliations to come together.
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