Republicans fume as Trump turns new convention into another messy 'grift'

President Donald Trump looks on as he exits Air Force One on his arrival at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, January 31, 2026. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

The Republican Party is supposed to be hosting its first-ever midterm convention next month, but according to Puck News, party members are now fuming as President Donald Trump turns the event into his latest messy "grift."

Ahead of what are expected to be a bruising set of midterm elections, the GOP is poised to put on an unprecedented convention, the sort usually reserved for crowning a top-of-the-ticket nominee during presidential election years. While Trump himself touted the event as having “lots of Great Entertainment” and “a RALLY like none other," strategists within the party told Puck that his influence has turned it into a "s——" show that "few lawmakers want to go" to.

As ever, Trump's money-grubbing tendencies appear to be driving frustrations the most.

"For starters, the National Republican Campaign Committee is asking House members to cough up $25,000 for themselves and a guest to attend the two-day convention in Dallas, according to three people who have reviewed the invitation," the Tuesday report detailed. "And that’s the cheap rate, with the highest tier asking for $100,000 from lawmakers."

The outlet continued: "The R.N.C., which is hosting the convention, is also taking sponsorship money from corporate donors, which is being funneled into a nonprofit that doesn’t have to disclose its donors. But with no party business being conducted (as would be typical at a presidential nominating convention) and poor planning (invitations were sent in the last several weeks, way after lawmakers had already committed to other events), campaign strategists are seething that it’s little more than a fundraiser for an unnecessary Trump production, at a time when some swing-district lawmakers aren’t exactly clamoring to be associated with the president."

“It’s yet another opportunity to shake down corporate America,” one Republican campaign strategist vented to Puck. “Nobody understands why we’re doing a midterm convention. It’s just another show that Trump is going to put on to remind the voters that he is sitting there, and maybe they don’t want to be reminded of that.”

The report further noted that the potential optics of the event are also stirring up concerns, given its unfortunate timing.

"Then there are the optics. The convention will take place just two days before the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks," Puck added. "Imperfect timing, perhaps, for lawmakers to be photographed carousing in elephant hats with the party’s wealthy elite."

Following the announcement of the convention, Politics USA founder Jasone Easley argued that the convention was a political gift for Democrats heading into the midterms, as Trump sought to "rub his stink of failure all over" the GOP at a time when voters are increasingly sick of him.

"Trump is going to hold a convention so that he can be the center of attention,” Easley said. “Trump is apparently also going to try to play concert promoter again after the Great American State Fair debacle, so prepare yourself for multiple performances of Proud To Be An American by Lee Greenwood. … Just in case you were curious, Trump is dedicating two nights to sinking Republican chances in the midterm election”

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