Trump’s Dream World in Dallas

Photographs by Joseph Rushmore P resident Trump began his midterm-convention address last night by casting his spell on the crowd in Dallas.

“This place is packed,” he announced from the stage, pointing to the back of the American Airlines Center, where everyone could see hundreds of empty seats.

Those who looked up saw thousands more, whole sections without any people at all.

But the crowd cheered anyway.

A deal had been struck.

Reality would be ignored.

After more than a decade in politics, Trump is facing his last great electoral test—his popularity is waning, his party is down in the polls, Republicans could lose control in the U.S.

House and maybe the Senate.

He demanded greater complicity minutes later, seeming to invent a person in the back of the room.

“He’s leaving for the bathroom.

He’ll be back in two minutes,” he said, pointing.

“They’ll take a picture of his seat while he’s gone.

And they’ll say Trump did not fill up the arena.” Laughter joined with the cheers for their political wizard.

It was working.