House Speaker Mike Johnson Reacts to Trump’s Proposal for GOP Midterm Convention

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, spoke on Wednesday about former President Donald Trump’s recent idea to hold a Republican National Convention ahead of the 2026 midterm elections—a suggestion Trump proposed just last week. Johnson expressed enthusiasm about the plan and said it was likely to move forward soon.

Johnson recounted receiving a phone call from Trump about the proposal while he was traveling. “The president called me and said, ‘Mike, I’ve got a great idea — what about a midterm convention?’” Johnson shared during his press briefing. He described the concept as “genius” and praised Trump’s knack for putting together large, energizing events.

According to Johnson, Trump emphasized that a midterm convention on this scale had never been attempted before. The former president believes it would serve as a powerful rallying point for Republicans, generating momentum and enthusiasm as the party heads into the fall election season. “Trump loves the big show,” Johnson said. He also mentioned that Trump planned to consult with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and the newly appointed Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters to finalize the details.

Johnson was confident that the idea had broad support within the GOP. “I think everybody’s on board,” he said, noting that news about the midterm convention broke shortly after his conversation with Trump. “So, I think that’s a done deal now. I’m really excited about it. We have so much to celebrate.”

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are reportedly considering their own midterm convention to sharpen their message and prepare for the 2026 elections, which will determine control of Congress. Johnson dismissed this idea as “hilarious,” suggesting that Democrats have little to celebrate or showcase after recent setbacks. “If they’re going to put on display what they did at their little workshop a couple of weeks ago, bring it,” he challenged.

Trump initially floated the idea of a midterm convention last week as a way to unite and energize Republicans ahead of the upcoming elections. Midterm conventions are rare, as national party conventions typically occur only during presidential election years. However, Trump believes this event could capitalize on the GOP’s recent gains and serve as a showcase for the party’s message.

The Republican Party faces the challenge of defending its congressional majority, a task historically difficult for the party in power during midterms. Still, some states, particularly Texas, are expected to gain seats through mid-census redistricting, potentially providing the GOP with additional advantages. Democrats have also discussed redistricting but have fewer opportunities to increase their House representation.

Last week, Johnson appeared on Fox News and claimed that Republicans had won “every aspect” of the 2024 presidential election. He expressed confidence that the party would perform well in the midterms next year.

On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump praised the GOP’s recent successes. “Millions of people have joined us in our quest to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” he wrote. Trump also highlighted the fundraising edge Republicans have over Democrats and touted efforts to reverse what he described as the Biden administration’s “country-destroying mistakes.”

“The results are incredible, a record pace!!!” Trump declared. “In that light, I am thinking of recommending a National Convention to the Republican Party, just prior to the Midterms. It has never been done before. STAY TUNED!!!”

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is facing significant challenges with voter registration numbers. A New York Times analysis of data from L2, a nonpartisan firm that tracks voter rolls, revealed that more voters registered as Republicans than Democrats for the first time since 2018. This shift followed the 2024 election, during which Trump broadened his appeal among men, younger voters, and Latino communities, challenging previous assumptions about partisan loyalties.

The data showed a troubling trend for Democrats: among 30 states that track party registration, the party lost ground to Republicans in every state between the 2020 and 2024 elections—often by large margins. The net result was a swing of approximately 4.5 million voters, with Democrats losing about 2.1 million registrants while Republicans gained roughly 2.4 million.

The shifting registration landscape paints a challenging picture for Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 midterms. In contrast, Republicans appear motivated by recent gains and energized by proposals like Trump’s midterm convention, hoping to keep that momentum moving forward.