Republicans know they are up against history, which traditionally rebuffs the party in power during midterms, but they're relying on Trump’s personal appeal to voters. Vance, with a primetime speaking slot right before the president, was widely watched as a potential heir to the “Make America Great Again” movement.
Trump organized the convention hoping to rally voters who turn out for him, but not for other candidates.
“You got to do me the biggest favor you’ve ever done,” Trump told the crowd. “You’ve got to do this for me.”
At one point he led the crowd in a repeat-after-me pledge to swear to vote on Nov. 3.
Vance delivered searing criticism of Democrats, calling them “the party of hatred.” And even though Republicans have faced their own rifts over Trump's war in Iran and other issues, he urged them to remain united for the midterms.
“Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there,” he said.
Vance’s keynote offered hints about his political aspirations, as he spoke about his own family, his wife, Usha, who recently gave birth to their fourth child, and his vision for the country. He has not yet said if he will run in 2028.
When a protester with a Mexican flag interrupted his speech, Vance won an extended roar of approval with his sharp response.
“Well, my friend, if you love Mexico so much, get your a— over there. I’ll buy you a plane ticket,” he said.
"We got to send a message this November,” Vance said. “This country was handed down to us by our parents and their parents before them. We received this national birthright, and we are going to fight for it by electing Republicans this November.”
The vice president, who also serves as the Republican National Committee’s finance chair, raised $2 million for the party earlier Thursday at a fundraiser in Dallas, according to a person familiar with the event who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Trump is also deploying his cash in key midterm races. No Going Back PAC Inc., which, according to a person with knowledge of the situation, is connected to Trump’s MAGA Inc., has reserved more than $68 million for advertising. The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the funding arrangement.
Coming on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the evening solemnly marked that moment. It also produced a video tribute to Charlie Kirk, who co-founded the conservative group Turning Point USA. He was assassinated one year ago.
“His voice has only grown louder,” said Lucas Miles, a pastor and vice president at Turning Point. The president's son, Donald Trump Jr., drew chants of “USA!” as he honored Kirk and criticized Democrats.
At one point, Rep. Mike Lawler, who is fighting to win reelection in New York, appeared onstage with the family of Sheridan Gorman who was fatally shot in Chicago and officials have charged a man they say was illegally in the country. They presented a bench in her honor as a place where lawmakers can sit to discuss issues.
In a lighter moment, Marty O’Donnell, a composer who is challenging a House Democrat in Nevada, got the crowd to sing along to the earworm jingle he wrote for Flintstones vitamins.
