The Midterm Conventions Will Continue Until Morale Improves
This article provides a satirical critique of a Republican midterm convention, highlighting the intense rhetoric used by speakers regarding political opponents. The author mocks the event's focus on Donald Trump and the hyperbolic framing of political disagreements as existential threats.
Why it matters
It illustrates the extreme polarization and performative nature of modern political conventions in the lead-up to midterm elections.
It isn’t over until the president’s tenor sings.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Alex Wong / Getty. September 11, 2026, 5:29 PM ET Share Save If only the GOP midterm convention succeeds in its aim of electing Donald Trump president, things will get a lot better in this country. Isn’t he already president? Hush! At the Unprecedented (But Very President-ed) Republican Midterm Convention, we reject such trivial objections! “I know many of you are still struggling thanks to Joe Biden and the Democrats,” said Richard Hudson, the National Republican Committee chair.
You have your orders: Imagine that Donald Trump is on the ballot , because if he were, the economy would get a lot better than it is under whoever is president right now—I have to assume Biden? But possibly, based on sheer volume of mentions, Abdul El-Sayed? Whoever it is, the guy is doing just terribly.
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