Trump implores GOP to 'pretend' he's on November ballot at first night of midterm convention

President Donald Trump took center stage on Wednesday as the keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention's first-ever two-day midterm event, held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Addressing the gathering amid grim election forecasts, a defiant Trump sought to rally the GOP to fight the midterm tide and urged Republicans to 'surge forward' in November.

During his address, Trump implored party members to 'pretend that I'm on the ballot' in the upcoming midterm elections. To incentivize voter support and help the GOP retain control of the House and Senate, the president made an extraordinary financial promise of $5,000 for every adult American if Republicans successfully maintain their congressional majority.