GOP midterm convention: Trump directs crowd in a pledge to himself

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, flanked by a few other Democratic governors in Louisville, Kentucky, told reporters on Thursday that President Donald Trump's promise of $5,000 checks to Americans if Republicans hold Congress is because the president is the “briber in chief."

"Last night, the president made himself the 'briber in chief,'" Beshear said after Trump’s promise on Wednesday night to give "every adult citizen" a $5,000 "dividend" check on the condition that Republicans maintain control of Congress.

"Where are those $2,000 rebates he promised all Americans? They absolutely never materialized," Beshear, who is attending the Democratic Governors Association’s fall meeting, later said.

Beshear told ABC News that he would celebrate how Trump asked voters at the Republicans' midterm convention to pretend "I'm on the ballot" in November.

"If Donald Trump wants to hold the convention saying this election is about him, I fully support his decision to hold the convention saying this election is totally about him. He's telling people to pretend that he's on the ballot, I want people to pretend that he's on the ballot,” Beshear said. "If you are for tariffs, vote for Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. If you are for gas being higher, vote for Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. Otherwise, vote for the Democrat."

-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim

Republicans are spending millions to put on a first-of-its kind midterm political convention in Dallas -- but they are also using the gathering to rake in millions more in fundraising.

Organizers of the GOP midterm convention in Dallas raised $45 million over several weeks to rent out the venue and put together the two-day gathering. Ray Washburne, a GOP fundraiser and developer leading the host committee, told ABC News the haul is expected to cover operating costs for the convention.

The city of Dallas expected to spend $1.8 million on the convention, according to ABC affiliate KTRK.

The main event itself is being used as a fundraising draw: House Republican members and candidates were asked to pay at least $25,000 for tickets to the event. The group distributed all 2,700 of its allotted tickets, a source told ABC News. State GOP parties were also given tickets to distribute.

Additionally, party leaders and outside political groups and campaigns have held fundraisers across town this week, including some events featuring President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel and Hannah Demissie

While Republicans are gathering at their convention in Dallas, Hakeem Jeffries is betting a lot of voters will be watching football instead.

The House Democratic leader is launching a five-figure digital ad buy aimed at sports fans during NFL season-opening games Wednesday and Thursday, using the RNC's midterm convention as a backdrop for an affordability attack on Republicans.

"Grocery prices up. Gas up. Health insurance premiums -- up in some cases a thousand dollars or more," Jeffries says in the ad. "You're working hard. But you can't thrive. You can barely survive."

Then comes a jab at the convention itself.

"Republicans party in Dallas toda. ... without a care about your tomorrow." Jeffries argues the GOP's promised "golden age" has instead benefited "the wealthy, the well-off, the well-connected."

The ad is part of a broader Democratic effort to counter-program the RNC.

"While extreme MAGA Republicans party in Dallas with their billionaire donors, Democrats are taking our message directly to the American people," Jeffries said in a statement.

He's also sending four House Democrats to Dallas, but the ad suggests Democrats see an opportunity beyond the convention hall -- reaching voters who aren't watching it at all.

-ABC News' Averi Harper and Jay O'Brien

In a statement to ABC News, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman defended his decision to introduce his Republican colleague and fellow Pennsylvanian Sen. Dave McCormick via video at the convention, calling McCormick a "great American and friend."

"We are in different parties, but we are both Team PA," Fetterman said.

Fetterman also committed to remaining in the Democratic Party.

"I'm a lifelong Democrat who votes overwhelmingly with my party — and should the Senate flip in November, I will still be the 51st vote that I ran on," he said later in his statement.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie and Olivia Osteen