A short phone call between Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson may have sparked one of the boldest political strategies in modern history. Trump suggested holding a full-scale Republican National Convention before the 2026 midterms—an unprecedented move designed to generate presidential-level energy and media attention for congressional races. Johnson quickly embraced the idea, calling it a powerful rallying point to showcase GOP achievements and build momentum.
Republicans see this as a way to defy the historical trend of midterm losses for the party in power. Backed by their strong 2024 performance and voter registration gains, Trump and Johnson believe the spectacle of a national convention could cement a broader Republican coalition while framing the midterms as a defining national battle. If successful, it could rewrite the playbook for U.S. political campaigning.
