Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters touts Donald Trump’s ‘incredibly popular’ policies as the president’s approval ratings hit record lows
Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters pointed to President Donald Trump‘s “popular” policies when asked about the president’s low approval rating in an interview with Newsweek ahead of the GOP’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas.
“I think his policies are incredibly popular, including the working family tax cuts. And I think you know people tell me all the time, you got to do better messaging,” Gruters told Newsweek. “There’s no better way to message anything than delivering it right to the American people through a convention, like we have done every four years and always have had that post-convention bump.”
Gruters said Trump has “completely transformed” the Republican Party and that its base is “united” behind him. He also expressed confidence in the GOP’s chances in November.
“We have the candidates, we have the resources and now we’re going to be able to deliver because we’re going to do this midterm convention as a kickoff to the president barnstorming the country,” he told Newsweek.
Historic midterm convention unfolds in Dallas
The Republican National Committee held its first-ever midterm convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The two-day event featured roughly 109 speakers and programming items.
National political parties have traditionally reserved their conventions for presidential election years, making the Dallas gathering unprecedented in modern American political history, according to the RNC.
Trump delivered the opening keynote address on September 9 and additional remarks on September 10. Vice President J.D. Vance delivered the second-night keynote.
Gruters described the event as a “Trump-a-palooza” and framed it as a showcase of the administration’s legislative record ahead of the midterms.
The convention comes as Republicans contend with Trump’s declining national approval rating. The party hopes the event will provide a boost heading into November, when history suggests presidents with low approval ratings can hurt their party’s congressional prospects.
Trump’s approval rating ahead of the convention
Trump’s approval rating remained low in surveys released around Labor Day, falling in recent months amid voter concerns about the economy, the cost of living and the Iran war, which has contributed to rising prices.
A YouGov/The Economist survey put Trump’s approval at 37 percent, while 61 percent disapproved of his job performance. The poll surveyed 1,469 registered voters.
A Morning Consult poll of 2,201 registered voters reported by The New York Times, showed Trump with a net approval rating of -11. Fifty-four percent disapproved of his performance, while 43 percent approved.
An NBC News Decision Desk poll showed Trump 28 points underwater, with 36 percent approving and 64 percent disapproving. The survey included 7,105 adults.
Trump dismissed the negative polling in a Truth Social post.
“They’re putting them out at levels never seen before,” Trump wrote. “They’re called, ‘Demoralization Operations,’ where they try to demoralize Republicans so that they don’t go out and vote.”
Trump touts ‘sold out’ attendance, addresses absent Republicans
Speaking to reporters September 9, Trump was asked about Republicans in competitive races who declined to attend the convention.
“By the way, we’re going to be sold out tonight, just so you understand,” Trump said, adding that “everybody” wanted to attend.
He said some Republicans were absent because organizers did “not have room” for candidates who are “35 points up and don’t need to be there.”
“Every politician that we wanted to be there is there,” Trump added.
Pennsylvania Representative Brian Fitzpatrick told Politico he would not attend, saying, “I’m not a party guy. I believe in ending the two-party system. Get back to our roots as a country.”
Iowa Representative Zach Nunn told MS NOW he would remain in his district instead, saying, “I think it’s more important to be in my district working for my folks.”
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker criticized the convention at a September 9 press conference, saying it “can’t paper over the fact that Republicans have done nothing to earn your vote.”
Pritzker said Trump’s “trade war is killing costs for families at the grocery store” and that his “war in Iran is killing ranchers and farmers and their way of life,” adding that Republican policies are “raising the costs of health care and housing.”
Ken Paxton appeals for support in Texas Senate race
Texas Senate Republican nominee Ken Paxton praised Trump during his September 9 convention speech while promising to “fight” for the American dream.
Paxton criticized Democratic nominee James Talarico‘s positions on tax policy, transgender issues and the environment, saying, “California already has two senators it doesn’t need a third.” He described Talarico as the most “radical” Democrat in Texas history.
Paxton, who serves as Texas attorney general, closed his remarks by saying, “I need your prayers, your votes and your support. If we lose Texas, we lose the commonsense revolution. If we lose the commonsense revolution, we lose America.”
Democrats hold edge in generic ballot polling
Polling released around the convention showed Democrats leading on the generic congressional ballot.
YouGov’s survey put Democrats ahead 42 percent to 35 percent. Morning Consult’s polling showed a 46 percent to 42 percent Democratic advantage, while a Reuters/Ipsos survey gave Democrats a 43 percent to 38 percent lead.
Prediction markets also favored Democrats to retake the House while showing a closer Senate race.
Kalshi gave Democrats an 84 percent chance of winning the House, compared with 88 percent on Polymarket. For the Senate, Kalshi gave Republicans a 52 percent chance of holding control, while Polymarket gave Democrats a 53 percent chance of flipping the chamber.
Prediction markets turn real-money wagers into probability estimates that shift as traders respond to polling, fundraising and political developments, but they do not guarantee future outcomes.