Trump Defends Iran War, Promises $5,000 at Convention

President Donald Trump made himself and the war with Iran central to the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, defending the military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, acknowledging its effect on fuel prices and the economy, and renewing threats to strike Iran’s fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex. He predicted the war would end after the election, linked victory to lower oil prices, and defended his sweeping tariffs. Trump promised every American adult a $5,000 “dividend” if Republicans retain control of Congress, a proposal estimated to cost roughly $1.35 trillion that would require congressional approval and could increase deficits and inflationary pressures; Vice President JD Vance suggested tariff revenue could fund the payments and wealthy Americans might be excluded, but no detailed plan or legal framework was presented. The convention relied heavily on Trump’s personal brand and warnings about Democrats, while attendees generally supported his handling of the war, though Trump declined to promise an aggressive campaign for vulnerable Republicans and some Republicans skipped the event. The gathering came as Republicans faced difficult midterm prospects, compounded by a Missouri court order blocking a Republican-backed redistricting plan and requiring use of the 2022 congressional map, likely preventing an additional GOP House seat.