GOP Will Hone In On Rising Socialism At Midterm Convention
Party conventions are most generally held every four years ahead of presidential elections, but at the urging of President Donald Trump, the GOP will be holding a rare midterm convention in September.
And Republicans have already announced what they will focus on when they meet in Dallas on Sept. 9-10: The rising tide of hard-left socialism within the Democratic Party.
Republicans are planning to use their first midterm convention to present a coordinated national message arguing that the Democratic Party has moved increasingly toward its progressive wing, according to Axios.
The strategy comes as Republicans seek to broaden the focus of the 2026 midterm elections beyond a referendum on Trump’s administration. Party leaders are expected to emphasize contrasts with Democratic policy positions and frame the election around competing visions for the country’s future.
While Trump’s polling is reportedly down and Americans, by and large, are not in favor of a prolonged war against Iran, Republicans are essentially planning a convention that pits Democrat-led socialism as a worse choice in November.
Republican organizers plan to feature left-wing politicians, activists, and media personalities prominently throughout the convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of the party’s broader messaging strategy.
According to Axios, Republican strategists have spent months compiling video clips of Democratic figures—including political commentator Hasan Piker and Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico—that they intend to use during the convention to argue that the Democratic Party has moved outside the political mainstream.
“Our video trove is endless,” one convention source told the outlet.
Convention organizers are also expected to highlight Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan, pointing to his support for Medicare for All and his criticism of Israeli government policies.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized El-Sayed during public appearances and on social media, describing him as a “communist” and a “man of hate” while accusing him of being hostile toward Israel.
And while many Democrats have already come to El-Sayed’s defense, others are abandoning him and their party over their hard-left socialist views.
For his part, El-Sayed may say he’s a “capitalist” who merely disagrees with Israeli policy in Gaza, he is campaigning with socialist influencer Hasan Piker, who has said the U.S. “deserved 9/11,” Israel has “no right to exist,” and who has embraced full-on communism.
Convention organizers plan to feature “everyday Americans” who will discuss what Republicans describe as accomplishments on tax policy, prescription drug costs, and border security, a strategy party officials say resonated with voters during the 2024 Republican National Convention.
Republican leaders hope the testimonials will reinforce their broader message that the GOP is focused on issues affecting households and the cost of living, while portraying Democrats as increasingly aligned with socialist policies that Republicans argue are out of step with many voters.
The convention comes as some Republicans have expressed concern that the party’s messaging has not focused enough on economic issues and affordability, topics many strategists view as central to the 2026 midterm elections.
Republican organizers also plan to highlight several signature Trump administration initiatives, including the president’s tax exemption for certain tipped income, crime-reduction policies aimed at urban areas, and the administration’s child investment account program.
The convention is also expected to feature Vice President JD Vance’s anti-fraud task force and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative.
Republican strategists believe the MAHA movement could help expand the party’s appeal to additional groups of voters.
On foreign policy, organizers are expected to defend the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran, arguing that Trump has taken steps to protect U.S. national security and American interests.
Vance will address the convention Sept. 9, with Trump speaking the following evening. The president is expected to attend the convention both days.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and several other senior administration officials are expected to deliver prominent speeches at the convention, alongside Republican candidates running in key midterm races.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
