The Republican National Committee is allowing state parties to charge thousands of dollars for access to President Donald Trump's midterm convention in Dallas, breaking with decades of party tradition. The Michigan Republican Party is asking $7,500 for a floor seat or $10,000 for a couple, while the California GOP is charging $10,000 for a VIP delegate pass, with donor packages reaching $250,000 that include floor access, hotel rooms, and gift bags with the state party logo. The Texas state party is selling honorary delegate credentials for $20,000, which includes a two-night hotel stay and a Texas shirt and cowboy hat, according to a flyer obtained by HuffPost.
Critics Decry the Cost and Lack of Purpose
Joe Walsh, a former Republican lawmaker from Illinois who broke with Trump, said the money collected would not go to help elect local Republicans. "Trump doesn't give a fuck about the midterms. He makes everything about himself, and he has no problem taking money away from other Republicans," Walsh said. A Republican consultant familiar with RNC processes, speaking on condition of anonymity due to Trump's vindictiveness, called the event "a grifter free-for-all" and noted that the RNC has not written any rules for the convention.
Normally, delegates are chosen through a vote by party activists in congressional districts, with the presidential nominee able to select some. Delegates typically pay for their own travel, lodging, and meals, plus a nominal fee of $200 to $500 to cover administrative costs. For this midterm convention, there is no nominee to select or platform to approve, which is why attendees are called "honorary delegates" — there is nothing for them to do.
Concerns About Attendance and Profiteering
The convention is scheduled for September 9-10 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, a 20,000-seat arena. Both Walsh and the consultant questioned whether Trump could fill the venue, given his low approval ratings and some GOP candidates seeking to distance themselves. "I think there's a tremendous risk here that this could blow up. They might end up having to give tickets away," the consultant said.
A prominent Florida Republican, also speaking anonymously, called the event a "bad idea, poorly executed" and wondered about the financial beneficiaries. "How much is the Trump family cut?" he asked. The White House did not respond to HuffPost's query about whether Trump personally would profit from the convention. Trump's recent financial disclosure showed he made $1.2 billion from cryptocurrency sales, with over half from his $TRUMP meme coins, which caused nearly 1 million buyers to lose $3.8 billion after the token's price crashed.
