President Donald Trump addressed supporters Wednesday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as Republicans opened their first-ever midterm convention, a two-day gathering focused on the November elections and the party’s effort to maintain its congressional majorities.

During his remarks, Trump thanked Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for his work. The mention drew boos from large portions of the audience. The strained relationship between Trump and the Senate Republican leader is a point of intraparty strife as the GOP seeks to make gains in November.

Sen. Thune is notably absent from the convention’s main speaking lineup. While House Speaker Mike Johnson is scheduled to address the gathering, Thune was in Dallas for fundraising activities and other events rather than appearing on the main stage.

Trump and Thune have clashed over several issues, including the administration’s aggressive push for election-related legislation like the Save America Act. Trump has criticized Thune for not doing enough to advance some of his priorities in the Senate, while Thune has continued working to maintain Republican control of the chamber and advance other legislation through the Senate.

The Dallas gathering is an unusual event for the Republican Party. It is the first national convention specifically organized for a midterm election cycle. Unlike a presidential nominating convention, it has no candidates to nominate or formal party business to conduct. Instead, the event is designed to bring Republican officials, candidates, donors, and activists together ahead of the November 3 elections.

Trump is the central figure of the convention alongside Vice President JD Vance and other administration officials and Republican candidates. The event is intended, in part, to mobilize Trump’s supporters for races in which the president himself is not on the ballot but are considered must wins for Republican control after 2026.

Trump urged Republicans to approach the midterm elections as though he were personally on the ballot, directly warning supporters that the outcome would have major consequences for his administration’s agenda.

The convention continues Thursday, with Vance scheduled to deliver the keynote address and Trump expected to return to the stage for closing remarks.