Trump to Speak on Both Nights of Midterm Convention as GOP Lawmakers Skip Event

Kylie Cooper/Reuters Donald Trump will now speak on both nights of his midterm convention as he desperately tries to drum up enthusiasm.

The president, 80, was originally supposed to headline only the second night of the two-day televised party convention in Dallas next week.

The event was organized to try to give the GOP a much-needed election boost and mobilize Trump’s MAGA base, even though his name will not be on the ballot in November.

However, with scores of Republicans already confirming their intentions to skip the Sept.

9-10 event—amid concern that viewers at home would much rather watch the opening games of the NFL season airing at the same time—Trump will now deliver a speech on Wednesday and Thursday night.

“President Trump wants to set the tone for the entire convention,” a party official told Reuters about the plan.

Dozens of Republican lawmakers have confirmed that they have no intention of attending the so-called “Trumpapalooza” event in Dallas, giving an array of excuses.

These include deciding their time could be better spent campaigning in their home districts, prior engagements, and concerns about the eye-watering $25,000 entrance fee.

Others have decided it might be wise to distance themselves from the increasingly unpopular president , who is facing dire approval ratings over the Iran war and voter backlash over his handling of the economy, in order to improve their election chances.

Even Max Miller, the embattled Ohio congressman accused of domestic abuse against his ex-wife and of harming their 2-year-old daughter, has decided that not attending the convention would be better for his re-election hopes.

“I was invited, but staying home to campaign and spend time with family,” he told The New York Times.

One House Republican also told Politico they are not attending the event because it will be a “waste of time.” The lawmaker questioned why Trump and the Republican National Committee are putting on an event that only interests those already planning to support the GOP in November.

“You shouldn’t be having to rally your base at this point,” the House Republican said.

“You should be trying to convince independents.