This is an effort to confuse low-propensity voters into showing up for 2026 midterms because they think Trump’s on the ballot.
This may work, on the margins, but its real impact will be to pull forward America’s endless presidential campaigns as much as 8-12 months – maybe permanently.— Nick (derogatory) ✨ (@slothropsmap.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
… *If* we can believe Jake Sherman; it’s possible he’s just dutifully putting this story out there to see how it will be greeted by its most important auditors, the voters his fellow Very Serious Media…
It’s also a way for the GOP to “get Trump on the 2028 ballot” for a third term while he’s still alive, which they believe will grant the mandate of succession to whichever ghoul actually secures the nomination.
— Nick (derogatory) ✨ (@slothropsmap.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Last week:
If the GOP does decide to hold an early mid-term convention; I hope their constituents come out and give them a real and honest ear full about what's going on.
If they don't stand up to this administration right now, at that convention, then this country is truly in trouble.
flip.it/Ijqin-— mama4real.bsky.social (@mama4real.bsky.social) August 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A sop for Dear Leader, from his loyal sycophant? The NYTimes‘ position, at the time:
… “I am thinking of recommending a National Convention to the Republican Party, just prior to the Midterms. It has never been done before,” Mr. Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. “STAY TUNED!!!”
Normally, both the Democratic and Republican parties hold their conventions every four years to formally nominate their presidential candidates. But Mr. Trump’s political operation is hoping to find ways to motivate the voters who have previously come out to cast ballots only when his name is on the ballot next year, when control of both the House and Senate will be determined for the second half of his second term.
A day earlier, Axios reported that Ken Martin, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, had been discussing a possible Democratic convention in 2026. The idea was the subject of some conversation on the sidelines of the D.N.C. meeting this week in Minneapolis, though it was not universally embraced, partly because it would most likely be costly for a party that is already stretched for cash…
Democrats have scored a number of victories in low-turnout special elections this year. But they are working to impress upon their voters the importance of the midterms next year to give the party a check on Mr. Trump, who has moved aggressively to enact his agenda in Washington.
If the dueling conventions happen — which remains very much an if for both parties — the events would serve not just as a venue to campaign for the midterms but also a major platform for ambitious politicians hoping to lead both parties in 2028.
The Republican National Committee would presumably be responsible for organizing a convention like the one Mr. Trump teased. The party just installed Mr. Trump’s pick, Joe Gruters, as the new chairman, this month…
Curious to see who is going to walk away with a bunch of money after this sort of manufactured spectacle.
— Caryn Lonz (@ignominious.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:22 PM
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A midterm convention? So a Trump rally?
— Dinosaur Bob (@dinosaurbob.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:15 PM
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Based on the latest polling, Trump is currently less popular than the IRS.
— Nick (derogatory) ✨ (@slothropsmap.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:10 PM
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i am very skeptical this will work
— jamelle (@jamellebouie.net) September 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
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the basic problem is that the low propensity voters who backed trump over inflation are likely to have soured on him, especially if there is any serious economic disruption next year.
— jamelle (@jamellebouie.net) September 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
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maybe this improves turnout on the margins but then, the enemy gets a vote too and it may remind democratic voters and leaners of how much they dislike the president
— jamelle (@jamellebouie.net) September 3, 2025 at 7:07 PM
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It's a campaign infomercial for the midterms. Free TV coverage, try for a polling bump.
Trump will make it all about himself not the Congressional candidates— Gluten-free Seitan (@davidjorgonson.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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In general the party of the WH is desperate to make the midterms about local issues and not national, because they almost always get creamed. If this were a smart idea, they would have already done it.
— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:21 PM
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To be clear, this is an outright admission of pure desperation and an understanding that the current environment is cataclysmic.
— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) September 3, 2025 at 7:23 PM
kindness
I don’t see how this helps Republicans. Making the election all about Trump, especially proclaiming that Trump will run for a 3rd term isn’t the great media that these wizards think it is.
p.a.
@kindness: It does not matter how effing stupid it is if tRump wants it and thinks he can make $$$ off it somehow. It will happen, and may end up resembling the military parade.
Jackie
Speaking of Axios, they’re reporting that Madison Cawthorn is preparing to run for Florida’s 19th Congressional District seat, currently held by Byron Donalds, who’s running for governor…
Can Gaetz be far behind?
I truly feel like we’re in The Twilight Zone.
(Sorry, Axios is behind the wall, so can’t link. But should be easy to find)
WTFGhost
@p.a.: People pay Trump kickbacks, or purchase services through Trump-owned corporations, and they skim some off the top. It’s how Trump inflates his maintenance. “I spent $100,000 on maintenance on these properties (unspoken: and a full $48k went to the actual parts and labor, which shows how over-regulated the real estate business is – I should have been able to skim a full $60k, not a measly $52k!)”
Scout211
@Jackie: Your link goes to an article from 2022.
This is the one you meant to link.
Melancholy Jaques
Ted Kennedy and his supporters forced one of these in 1978 in Memphis to undermine the Carter administration. I was there as a Carter supporter. It was just a bad thing to do and I never liked Kennedy after that. But that’s now what is happening here.
The Republicans will put on a show to promote Trump and smear Democrats. The political media will cooperate enthusiastically.
Jackie
@Scout211: Yes, thank you! I guess we need to sit back and see if FFOTUS enthusiastically endorses him!
Something tells me “not so much!”
mrmoshpotato
I think the manbaby is having a sad, and he wants to throw himself a pity party.
TONYG
“If the GOP does decide to hold an early mid-term convention; I hope their constituents come out and give them a real and honest ear full about what’s going on.” Well, maybe. But this convention, if it happens, will be a professional wrestling spectacle, not a dialogue. The likelihood of ordinary voters having a chance to communicate their concerns will be approximately zero.
Raoul Paste
Yes, a Trump rally.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Melancholy Jaques:
Are you saying you think it will work?
Gvg
I hope it goes over as well as his military parade. And the democrats should do something different.
I have been remembering when the Hubble space telescope was first launched and having all kinds of problems. People were making jokes and doing sarcastic skits and parade floats about blind scientists losing money etc. It was the first time I noticed widespread popular humor with a political edge. Not professional comedians just citizens in local festivals and Halloween. Also stuff about education cuts….
Everyone is frightened and angry. I have never been funny, but I sure have noticed that laughing gets to Trump and a bunch of the others too. And people pass it on. A Republican convention plus guaranteed grifting should present a lot of targets for attack. Also Halloween is coming up. Hopefully some funny people can use the opportunity.
NotMax
Can’t spell convention without con.
//
mrmoshpotato
@Gvg:
Like treat 2026 as a mid-term?
Jackie
And if the day isn’t spiraling downhill fast enough…
mrmoshpotato
@Jackie: Unsurprising in Corrupt Trash 2.0
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@TONYG:
Large protests outside this convention could get the message across if they won’t allow a real dialogue
mrmoshpotato
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Where would they even have the dying, orange manbaby’s pity party in 2026?
hueyplong
@mrmoshpotato: Isn’t this event scheduled for a date beyond Trump’s expected lifespan? Or am I being unduly optimistic in a dark time?
Melancholy Jaques
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
I just noticed a typo. What I meant to say is “But that’s NOT what’s happening here.”
The GOP is going to put on a Trump version of Triumph of the Will and the political media will treat it like the Super Bowl. Will it work? No way to know, but do you have faith in the American electorate?
mrmoshpotato
@hueyplong:
Hopefully. I’m working on lyrics for Ding Dong, The Bitch Is Dead.
hueyplong
@mrmoshpotato: I kind of feel like the Munchkins nailed it to the extent that the original lyrics work for the pig as well.
Jackie
@mrmoshpotato:
Don’t insult female dogs, please.
Leto
@Jackie: I came over to post about this. I saw this tidbit in the AP article I read:
The move to politicize the military will have long lasting negative consequences. There should have been more high profile resignations, or any frankly, but I figure those commanders believe that they can protect their personnel better by staying. I honestly don’t know if that’s true at this point. The moral/ethical compromises they need to make… I just don’t know.
First pardoning the J6 traitors, next Babbit, now this walking sexual predator RED dot (military sexual assault training) chucklefuck. Just… fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Melancholy Jaques:
Well, I don’t know for sure either, but several elections have swung our way so far and polling indicates many people who supported Trump and the GOP last year have soured on him/them. Things aren’t likely to get any better by next year, either. The people who voted him into power (that made the difference) now know he lied to them about getting the cost of living under control. They want it to be 2019 again and nothing he’s doing (the dumb tariffs, the NG/ICE invasions of cities, etc) is accomplishing that, and in fact is worsening it. The same things that undermined the Biden Admin/Dems are now undermining the Trump admin/GOP.
ETA: I just don’t see how it would help them, particularly if the economy continues to slow into a recession. You can’t bullshit enough people to believe the economy’s great when they or people they know are struggling and/or out of a job. And I’m not sure what you could distract them with. How people feel about the economy and their immediate financial situation will come first.
I agree with others that it shows desperation
Glidwrith
@TONYG: I think it has a good chance of devolving to CPAC levels of craziness plus further Nazification.
Leto
Also ICE is now trying to deport spouses of military members.
Librettist
This all makes sense if the internal polling from that newly minted Texas map came back and…oh shit. With nutty old Trump insisting that he can fix it with his irresistible media charisma.
mrmoshpotato
@Jackie: I can rework to Ding Dong, The Shit Is Dead.
Librettist
If they’re not willing to say no to the ravings of a sick old man, they will get what they deserve. Good and hard.
Jackie
@Leto:
ICE has already started deporting DREAMERS who served honorably. And in some cases, served honorably AND became disabled due to their service. I posted about it a few days back, but I haven’t the fortitude to search. I’m so…..
I can’t summon the words. I’m calling it an early night. I hope tomorrow’s a better day for America as a whole.
Leto
@Jackie: yup yup yup.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Leto:
I think the scariest part of it all is the effect of purging those who aren’t sufficiently loyal to Trump in the senior military leadership could lead to them following illegal orders here domestically.
We’re already seeing the effects with the US Navy antagonizing Venezuela and murdering 11 people on a boat in the Caribbean without trial
This politicization will also erode the American public’s historical respect for the US military
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@mrmoshpotato:
Probably Mar-a-Lardo lol
NotMax
@mrmoshpotato
On Epstein’s island, natch.
//
Lacuna Synecdoche
Raw Story via Anne Laurie @ Top:
Everytime I see Putin’s Puppy use the phrase ‘has never been done before,’ my brain automatically adds the phrase ‘because it’s fucking stupid.’
MoCaAce
maybe they could hold it in Chicago!
unrelatedwaffle
@Lacuna Synecdoche: you know what’s never been done before? Dying on stage of a massive coronary during a mid-term convention. Think of the ratings.