In Dallas, Texas, the Republican Party wrapped up its first-ever midterm convention on Thursday night, with Vice President JD Vance delivering a keynote address in what could be a preview of a run at the 2028 Republican presidential nomination. Vance delivered a combative speech, attacking Democrats as “the party of hatred.” Earlier in the evening, violent threats rang out from the crowd as Texas Senator Ted Cruz delivered a speech attacking political opponents as “Islamists” and “communists.”

Sen. Ted Cruz: “When Mamdami [sic] says he wants to seize the means of production” —

RNC attendee: “He should be shot!”

Sen. Ted Cruz: — “he means it. When Abdul El-Sayed says he has a, quote, obligation to comply with Sharia law” —

RNC attendee: “He should be shot!”

Sen. Ted Cruz: “He means it. And when James Talarico says he wants to dismantle capitalism” —

RNC attendee: “He should be shot!”

Sen. Ted Cruz: — “he means it.”

“He should be shot,” someone shouted out at least three times as Senator Cruz named the Democrats. This came just minutes after Cruz condemned the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk one year ago and assassination attempts on President Trump.

Trump also spoke at the RNC for a second straight evening, asking supporters to pledge to “cheat like hell” to help Republicans win the midterms. Trump repeated his promise to send all U.S. adults a $5,000 check, but only if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress. Trump faced an immediate backlash to his proposal. Wisconsin Congressmember Mark Pocan commented, “So now it’s $5,000 bribes that Trump will never deliver to attempt to make voters forget what they are paying for gas and food. What ever happened to those promised DOGE checks? Americans are not fools, we know he lies daily.”