President Trump’s unusual midterm convention is also an unusual fund-raising opportunity for the Republican Party.
To begin with, the two-day extravaganza in Dallas is more like a cash-for-seat reception than it is a traditional experience for delegates who carry out party business at a normal presidential-year convention.
Mr. Trump’s convention will still have unofficial delegates, even if they have no formal business to conduct — and some state parties are charging them for the right to attend, much as fund-raising events charge those who want to attend a V.I.P. reception.
One county Republican Party in Texas advertised an “honorary delegate” package for $20,000. Michigan’s Republican Party charged people $5,000 a ticket for floor passes to become an “honorary delegate.”
“This is not a traditional delegate position and does not involve convention voting or official delegate responsibilities,” the marketing materials for the Michigan G.O.P. read. “Instead, the Honorary Delegate designation is a special recognition that grants you an exclusive experience that most attendees will never have.”
Donors began checking into luxury hotels like the Ritz-Carlton and the Crescent Court in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon. Some conservative fund-raisers said they expected many of the party’s financial powerhouses not to attend. Several Republican megadonors, including the Dallas Mavericks owner Miriam Adelson and the hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, are not scheduled to appear, according to their representatives.
Those who do trek to Texas for the Republican National Committee’s event are set to to be treated to an extensive “R.N.C. investor experience,” according to a booklet of events distributed to donors and obtained by The New York Times.
Receptions and meals will be hosted by several Trump cabinet members, including Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy; Scott Turner, the housing secretary; and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. Vice President JD Vance will headline a “Liberty Luncheon” on Thursday for R.N.C. donors.
Other satellite events are happening around town. The Senate Leadership Fund, the main super PAC for Republican Senate candidates, is set to host several briefings for its donors, including a fund-raising lunch with Senator John Thune of South Dakota, the majority leader, according to a document obtained by Punchbowl News. The outlet reported that another event would feature a fireside chat with Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House majority leader, who will be joined by Texas donors like Harlan Crow and Ross Perot Jr.
Mr. Trump is also scheduled to participate in two events, according to the White House: one on Wednesday afternoon with MAGA Inc., his high-powered super PAC, and a Thursday round-table for the Republican National Committee.
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is throwing a fund-raiser featuring Ken Paxton, the state’s Republican nominee for Senate, at the Ritz-Carlton on Thursday afternoon, according to a copy of the invitation viewed by The Times. The event will raise money for a Cruz-aligned super PAC that is spending for Mr. Paxton.
There will be plenty of libation, too. A welcome reception on Tuesday evening was thrown by the Rockbridge Network, a donor network aligned with Mr. Vance. One event set for Wednesday evening is called “The Great American Midterm Party” and features hosts like former speaker Kevin McCarthy, the tech donor Joe Lonsdale and the president’s son Donald Trump Jr., according to an invitation seen by The Times.
A party on Thursday is scheduled to be thrown by Republicans from Houston — which is hosting the actual next convention, in the summer of 2028.
Emily Davies and Shane Goldmacher contributed reporting.
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