Speakers at GOP Convention Include Fetterman, in a Video

Sen. John Fetterman delivered a moment at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday that neither party was expecting. The Pennsylvania Democrat appeared via video on opening night, calling himself a "common-sense Democrat" who rejects "extremes and socialism." Standing outside a Pennsylvania steel mill, Fetterman promised to work with President Trump and GOP Sen. David McCormick, his Pennsylvania colleague, to "defend the steel way of life," the New York Times reports. Fetterman already had fallen out with Democrats in his state, the AP notes; he polls better with Republicans. After a Wall Street Journal investigation on his conduct in office ran last week, per Axios, Pennsylvania Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat, posted on X that, "John Fetterman is a disgrace."

The theme of the convention was Trump, per the AP. Photos of the president covered the arena walls and were displayed even in elevators. "Looks very big. Looks very exciting," Trump said before boarding Air Force One to fly to Dallas. That was a hard case to make early in the convention's first afternoon: Speeches were delivered to scores of empty seats, even in areas close to the stage. Crowds began filling those seats, however, well before Trump was scheduled to give his speech. He plans to deliver the keynote address on Wednesday night and speak again on Thursday, after Vice President JD Vance gives his own address.

Organizers detailed 12 hours of programming over the two nights, featuring more than 100 speakers and segments focused on subjects such as tax cuts, fraud allegations, border security, and a proposed ban on members of Congress trading stocks. The Iran war was not on the agenda. Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters promoted the convention before it began as "a Trumpapalooza." On Wednesday, he asked the crowd, "Do we love President Trump?"