President Donald Trump and Republicans will gather at Dallas' American Airlines Center on Sept. 9 and 10 for a televised midterm convention ahead of the midterm elections that could threaten the GOP's majority in Congress.
The first-ever two-day convention will feature speeches from more than 30 Republican officials and 12 Republican midterm candidates, according to the Republican National Committee
's (RNC) list of speakers.Unlike typical party conventions, which occur during presidential election years to nominate candidates and solidify agendas, Trump and the Republican Party's two-day convention has no party business to conduct. That said, the televised event's purpose is to galvanize and revitalize GOP voters ahead of the midterm's elections
amid Trump's low approval ratings.
President Trump will deliver his keynote address on day one and return to deliver closing remarks on day two. Vice President JD Vance will also deliver a keynote address on the second night.
Are any Tennessee officials speaking at the midterm convention?
Surprisingly, not a single Tennessee member of Congress or GOP candidate is scheduled to take the stage during the two-day convention.
While no Tennessee lawmakers or candidates have been listed as speakers, it remains unclear whether any will attend, deliver an unscheduled address or be a late addition to the event's schedule.
To stay up to date on who's speaking, visit the convention's website.
Who is speaking at the Republican convention?
On Sept. 5, the Republican National Committee released its list of keynote speakers for the event.
Keynote speakers
- President Donald Trump
- Vice President JD Vance
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- Attorney General Todd Blanche
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz
- Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner
- Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
- Donald Trump Jr.
Other notable speakers include Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Steve Scalise, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. John Barrasso and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Several candidates for Congress will also speak, including Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers and North Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whately.
Where can you watch the GOP's midterm convention?
The Republican National Committee will livestream its first-ever midterm convention on the GOP's convention website.
Portions of the event are also expected to be broadcast on major news channels such as Fox News, CNNand NewsNation, USA TODAY Reported.
Watch Fox News on Fubo
C-Span will broadcast the entire the event, which starts at 3 p.m. CT on Sept. 9 and ends on Sept. 10 at 9 p.m. CT.
The Trump-endorsed Tennessee officials not speaking at the convention
Aside from Democratic U.S. Rep. Steven Cohen, most members of Tennessee congressional delegation have been endorsed by President Trump, making the state's absence from the convention's speaker lineup notable.
Arguably the most surprising absence is Tennessee's Republican gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who has been a staunch Trump supporter for years and received his endorsement the day after winning the GOP gubernatorial primary.
"Congratulations to our Great Senator from Tennessee, Marsha Blackburn, who had a tremendous WIN for Governor last night, against a very strong and talented opponent, John Rose," wrote Trump on Truth Social.
"Marsha now must go on to the next step, where she is running against a Radical Left Dumocrat who does not represent the Values of Tennessee, a State which I won all three times, in Historic Numbers...I know Marsha well, and she has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of the Great State of Tennessee."
Tennessee Sen. Brent Taylor, the Republican nominee looking to flip Tennessee's newly redrawn 9th Congressional District, also received Trump's endorsement but isn't scheduled to speak.
"It is my Great Honor to endorse Highly Respected State Senator, Brent Taylor, who is running to represent the Incredible People of Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District," wrote Trump.
"Brent Taylor has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Representative from Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Trump's midterm convention breaks tradition. Will Tennessee Republicans take the stage?
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