Live updates: Republicans kick off first-ever midterm convention

Speakers who preceded him attacked their Democratic opponents as "radicals."

President Donald Trump promised the crowd at the GOP's first-ever midterm convention Wednesday that if Republicans hold on to the House and Senate he'll issue a $5,000 "dividend" to every adult American.

Speakers who preceded the president took aim at their Democratic midterm opponents, characterizing them as "radicals" and "dangerous."

Trump and Republicans from across the country are in Dallas for two nights to support the slate of candidates running this year and to tout the administration's agenda going into November in their first-ever midterm convention.

Key Headlines

Democrats counterprogram GOP convention with ad targeting football fans

While Republicans are gathering at their convention in Dallas, Hakeem Jeffries is betting a lot of voters will be watching football instead.

The House Democratic leader is launching a five-figure digital ad buy aimed at sports fans during NFL season-opening games Wednesday and Thursday, using the RNC's midterm convention as a backdrop for an affordability attack on Republicans.

"Grocery prices up. Gas up. Health insurance premiums -- up in some cases a thousand dollars or more," Jeffries says in the ad. "You're working hard. But you can't thrive. You can barely survive."

Then comes a jab at the convention itself.

"Republicans party in Dallas toda. ... without a care about your tomorrow." Jeffries argues the GOP's promised "golden age" has instead benefited "the wealthy, the well-off, the well-connected."

The ad is part of a broader Democratic effort to counter-program the RNC.

"While extreme MAGA Republicans party in Dallas with their billionaire donors, Democrats are taking our message directly to the American people," Jeffries said in a statement.

He's also sending four House Democrats to Dallas, but the ad suggests Democrats see an opportunity beyond the convention hall -- reaching voters who aren't watching it at all.

Fetterman defends appearance at GOP convention

In a statement to ABC News, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman defended his decision to introduce his Republican colleague and fellow Pennsylvanian Sen. Dave McCormick via video at the convention, calling McCormick a "great American and friend."

"We are in different parties, but we are both Team PA," Fetterman said.

Fetterman also committed to remaining in the Democratic Party.

"I'm a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on," he said later in his statement.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie and Olivia Osteen

Trump promises $5,000 to all adult Americans if Republicans win the House and Senate

Trump promised the convention crowd that he'll issue a $5,000 "dividend" to all adult Americans if Republicans keep control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections.

"Because of our tremendous strength and success economically, I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000," Trump said, likening it to what "a successful company will do a cash distribution to its shareholders."

Trump said the only condition attached is that the money must be spent in the U.S.

Bessent warns of 'socialist hellscape," touts tariffs

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that "it's a time for choosing" in the upcoming elections, arguing Trump is urging voters to prevent the "socialist hellscape" he says America will turn into if Republicans lose their majority -- while presenting the economy in positive terms.

"As it turns out, Washington wasn't incapable of working for the American people. All we needed was a new president," Bessent said, later adding, "President Trump has turned this country around once before, and he's doing it again."

Bessent also touted Trump's tariffs strategy.

"The president's plan was never just a tax cut, never just a tax cut. His economic program is bolstered by trade deals and deregulation, and tonight, a new industrial super cycle is moving," he said. "From investment into production, blueprints to paychecks, everything from GDP to factory payrolls is firing up."

Despite costs rising today as well, Bessent pointed to cost-of-living pressures in previous years, and blamed "the radical left" for it.

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