As Trump Dominates Convention, Some Republicans Quietly Ask Who Comes Next – BBC News
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Republicans descended on Dallas this week to turn their midterm prospects around, hoping an unprecedented convention dominated by President Donald Trump would energise voters ahead of the November election. Many left the gathering—billed ahead of time by supporters as a "Trump-a-palooza" political fest—just as worried about the party’s chances in 2026, and wondering what the Republicans’ future will look like after the president leaves office.
Vice-President JD Vance, who is widely viewed as a top contender to succeed Trump, offered his party a glimpse of its potential future during his keynote address on Thursday night.
"We’ve got to take care of business this November," Vance told the crowds.
"Then we’ll worry about what comes next."
His speech was interrupted at one point by chants of "48" – a nod to Trump’s successor, who will become the 48th US president if they win in 2028. Vance let the chant linger briefly before waving it away.
Over the two-day event, party activists were split on the wisdom of holding a midterm convention featuring a president who has record low approval ratings, and amid public frustration over the economy and war with Iran.
"I think it will make a difference. If anything it allows us to test the [campaign] message in front of a large audience," Jeff Ryer, the Virginia Republican Party chairman, told the BBC.
Others said Trump’s rambling, nearly two-hour convention speech on Wednesday wouldn’t sway voters weighing whether to keep Republicans in power in Congress. Polls suggest that Democrats have a good chance to retake control of the House and the Senate is also in play, though viewed as more of a long shot for the party.
"Do I wish Trump gave a shorter speech? Sure, but that’s not who he is," said one Republican operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity to offer a blunt view of Trump’s convention appearance. "I don’t think saying ‘pretend I’m on the ballot’ will work. He’s not."
The source added that Trump’s pledge for voters to "pretend as if he’s on the ballot" would fall flat.
The convention offered a stark reminder that the Trump era is heading toward its final chapter. Trump’s presence loomed over the proceedings at the American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas. Republican House and Senate candidates lavished the president with praise in speeches, and supporters showed up wearing the red "Maga" hats that have become synonymous with Trump’s political movement.
The gathering was just two days, but still had the look and feel of the traditional four-day conventions staged by both parties in presidential election years. Organisers distributed signs and unleashed a balloon drop at the end as live music blared. Republicans had never held a midterm convention before.
Vikki Consiglio, a party activist from Georgia, said it showcased Trump’s ability to shake up political norms and capture the nation’s attention. Evidence of that came when Trump pledged in his speech to make a payment of $5,000 to all American adults if Republicans retained control of Congress.
"He’s a visionary," Consiglio said. "This whole convention is nothing but a vision."
