Video Shows Crowd Sizes At GOP Midterm Convention — And Trump May Want To Look Away

Footage posted from the beginning of the Republican midterm convention showed largely empty stands as the two-day event kicked off in Dallas.

A video posted by PBS White House Correspondent Liz Landers showed many of the upper sections of American Airlines Arena empty, while the seats on the floor closest to the stage were filled.

Republican midterm convention officially kicking off in Dallas pic.twitter.com/nYnqD02a1u

— Liz Landers (@ElizLanders) September 9, 2026

Critics of the event quickly jumped at the chance to mock the crowd size, with former Democratic House stafferAaron Fritschner saying the convention should have been held “in a high school gym.”

The convention was also reportedly plagued by other issues early on, including long lines and wait times to enter the arena.

“I’m at the GOP Midterm Convention general admission rally point talking with all the folks not connected enough to be swiftly ushered into the arena,” conservative pundit and political operative Alec Sears wrote on X.

Sears added that attendees were braving 95-degree heat, and three people had reportedly received medical attention.

“Several have already gone home. I must add the despite the wait and the heat, spirits are high among attendees,” Sears wrote.

The arena did not seem to fill out as the day went on, according to other reporters in attendance.

“Midway through tonight’s RNC convention, this is what the upper deck at American Airlines Center looks like,” Washington Sun reporter Dana Milbank posted on X with a video showing many upper sections sparsely populated.

See more reaction to Landers and Milbank’s videos here:

Going to a @chancetherapper show tonight that will be better attended than this https://t.co/COVcJ9tR1a

— Tim Miller (@Timodc) September 9, 2026

You can just feel the energy and excitement https://t.co/Olf2Kzs7Ep

— George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 (@gtconway3d) September 9, 2026

Hmmmm…. should the kickoff be this empty?

Or is this just sound check?

Anyone?? https://t.co/5wZZptG3KC

— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) September 9, 2026

Plenty of empty seats for Trump-A-Loser. https://t.co/HKswTuwFqT

— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) September 9, 2026

I’ve seen busier DMV waiting rooms. https://t.co/rmI4RlcBP4

— 𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕖_𝔾𝕦𝕣𝕝 (@SundaeDivine) September 9, 2026

Isn’t interesting that even MAGAts don’t want to sit near other MAGAts? 🤔 https://t.co/EePON9cEY2

— ⚖️Powerful Mel Ankoly #ForThePeople (@Mel_Ankoly) September 9, 2026

Oh man, there are a LOT of empty seats in that arena. What an embarrassment for Trump! https://t.co/hD5BHqQeW7

— Jon Cooper 🇺🇸 (@joncoopertweets) September 9, 2026

WOW! Packed house 👏 https://t.co/FwvpuKhfVe

— Matt Rein (@MatthewARein) September 9, 2026

This could have been a zoom. Maybe even an email.

MAGA’s life support. CLEAR! https://t.co/VrTcm5DRYd

Read more How Sweet! Girl Scouts Cookies Are Going To The Dogs

— Evie CG (@cg_evie) September 9, 2026