Risky Trump Convention Strategy
Karl Rove warns Republicans that centering midterm convention on Trump is risky.
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Key Points
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Some Republicans are reportedly skipping the convention because attending requires a $25,000 contribution.
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Reuters polling cited by Fox News showed President Donald Trump with 32% approval on the economy, while approval of his handling of the cost of living stood at 25% and approval on inflation and prices at 24%.
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Rove noted that Democrats had experimented with midterm conventions in the past but eventually abandoned them because they were not particularly helpful.
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The convention is scheduled at Dallas’ American Airlines Center, with Trump set to speak Wednesday, return Thursday after remarks by Vice President JD Vance, and organizers expecting roughly 30,000 attendees over two days.
Republicans are holding an unprecedented midterm convention in Dallas this week, expecting 30,000 attendees over two days starting Wednesday at the American Airlines Center. President Trump will deliver keynote remarks and a closing speech, as the GOP tries to defend congressional majorities ahead of November's elections. But veteran strategist Karl Rove warned the party is taking a risky bet by centering everything on Trump, whose approval ratings are sliding. Rove said Republicans are putting "all the chips" on the president — a strategy that could force candidates to defend him instead of promoting their own records.
Trump's economic approval is weak. Reuters polling cited by Fox News showed him at just 32% approval on the economy overall, 25% on the cost of living, and 24% on inflation and prices. Some Republicans are skipping the convention because attending requires a $25,000 contribution — a steep price tag that signals how the party is funding the event.
Democrats Tried Midterm Conventions and Abandoned Them
The Republican gamble is not entirely new. Rove noted that Democrats experimented with midterm conventions in the past but eventually quit because they did not help campaigns. That historical pattern suggests Republicans may be repeating a mistake. Midterm elections typically focus on local and congressional races, not the sitting president. Rove's caution reflects concern that Trump's presence could overshadow individual candidates fighting to keep their seats.
Trump's Weak Polling Threatens Convention Strategy
The timing is particularly awkward. Rove said the convention "comes too late to shape the campaign effectively" before November. Trump's approval numbers make him a liability. With roughly one in four Americans approving of his handling of inflation, tying Republican candidates to him could force them to spend time defending his record instead of attacking Democrats or touting their own accomplishments. Vice President JD Vance will also speak Thursday, but the focus remains on Trump.
A High-Cost Gamble for Party Mobilization
The Dallas convention is an all-in bet for Republicans. Organizers expect roughly 30,000 attendees over the two days, making it a massive show of force. But the $25,000 entry fee means the party is betting wealthy donors will foot the bill — limiting attendance to the committed elite. That exclusivity could undermine the stated goal of "mobilizing voters" for the midterms. Rove framed it bluntly: building an entire midterm strategy around a president with historically low approval is risky.
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