Trump to speak on both nights of Republican midterm convention amid turnout concerns

US President Donald Trump will now speak on both nights of the Republican Party’s unusual midterm convention next week, a party official said on Wednesday, an expanded role that will compete for ‌viewers with the start of the NFL season.

Trump had originally been scheduled to deliver an address on Thursday to close out the September 9-10 convention in Dallas, but now will deliver the keynote speech on Wednesday and speak after US Vice-President J.D. Vance on Thursday evening as well, the party official said on condition of anonymity.

“President Trump wants to set the tone for the entire convention,” the party official said, explaining why Trump ⁠was now going to speak on the first night.

The change comes as some party insiders have said they are concerned ‌the Republican National Committee may struggle to attract members and activists to the event.

Trump is grappling with weak approval ratings amid voter dissatisfaction over the Iran war and persistent inflation, raising ‌the stakes for Republican candidates fighting to preserve their party’s narrow congressional majorities in November.

The convention begins just ⁠after Labour Day on ⁠Monday, when campaigns typically start their final sprint towards Election Day.