US President Donald Trump has warned his Republican supporters that they would “go to hell” if they failed to vote in the November midterm elections.
Trump issued the warning while addressing supporters at the Republican Party’s convention in Dallas, Texas, where he urged the party’s base to mobilise voters ahead of the congressional elections.
The president led the gathering in a pledge to vote and encouraged supporters to bring their friends and family to the polls.
“You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell,” Trump told the crowd.
He also urged Republicans to “try and cheat like hell” while repeating his allegations that Democrats engage in widespread electoral fraud.
Trump used the address to tout what he described as the achievements of his administration, declaring that he had transformed what he called a “dark age” into a “golden age” for the United States.
“In 19 months, I’ve delivered on every single promise I’ve made,” Trump said.
He cited the performance of the stock market, lower prescription drug prices, increased military spending and a reduction in illegal border crossings as evidence of his administration’s record.
The president also pointed to recent congressional measures providing tax breaks on overtime pay, tips and Social Security benefits as further evidence of progress under his administration.
Trump warned that a Democratic victory in the November elections could reverse what he described as the gains achieved during his presidency.
He claimed Democrats would seek to confiscate personal wealth, undermine Texas’ oil and gas industry and allow criminals to “rob, rape and kill,” alleging that such conditions existed under the previous administration.
Earlier, Vice President JD Vance urged Republicans to turn out in large numbers to protect the party’s majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate.
“Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people because you happen to disagree with us on a policy issue here or there,” Vance said.
Vance also called on Republicans to preserve what he described as the political legacy handed down by previous generations.
The Dallas convention provided the Republican leadership with an opportunity to rally the party’s base ahead of the November elections, while further elevating Vance as a prominent figure in the party and a potential leading contender in the 2028 presidential race.
