**Trump headlined a Republican midterm convention in Dallas at the American Airlines Center, delivering a rambling, 106-minute speech that was plagued by technical glitches and visible sections of empty seats.**

Despite claiming before the event that every ticket had sold out, journalists from multiple outlets observed that upper decks and side sections remained sparsely filled. Party officials had struggled to secure delegates to fill the arena, resorting to public ticket lotteries and unsolicited text message campaigns offering free admission. By the 90-minute mark of the address, large portions of the audience had exited the venue.

During the speech, Trump announced a major policy proposal: every adult U.S. citizen would receive a $5,000 dividend if Republicans capture both chambers of Congress in November. The proposal, which would apply to roughly 269 million adults and carry a potential cost of $1.35 trillion, requires recipients to spend the money domestically. The White House has not yet explained how the administration plans to fund the initiative.

The address also featured technical issues with the giant screen behind the podium, which repeatedly glitched by flashing rapid images of previous speakers. Ignoring the equipment malfunctions and advice from strategists to avoid personal tangents, Trump spoke at length about building a ballroom without taxpayer money and revisited familiar grievances, including claims about previous elections and criticisms of Democratic economic policies.

The two-day convention doubled as a fundraiser for GOP candidates, most notably Trump-endorsed Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who faces a competitive race against Democrat James Talarico. While some attendees defended Trump's ongoing presence as a necessary motivator for the base, critics from the Democratic National Committee characterized the event as an effort to placate Trump's political standing amid sliding approval ratings. Trump concluded the gathering by framing the midterm elections as a direct vote on his platform, telling the crowd to treat his name as if it were on the ballot.

Trump's Dallas Convention Speech Marred by Empty Seats and Unfunded Payout Pledges