President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a first-ever “midterm convention” for the Republican Party, which will be held in September in Dallas.

But critics on social media said it sounded like a desperate move given his plunging popularity in the polls and growing signs that the GOP will lose their majorities in the House and possibly even the Senate.

Even states once considered safe red territory now appear to be in play, with a New York Times/Siena poll this week showing the race for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas is a dead heat. Democratic candidate James Talarico and Trump’s hand-picked Republican candidate, scandal-plagued state Attorney General Ken Paxton are both at 47%.

Political data analyst Nate Silver this week said Democrats have an 85-90% chance of winning the House, and a 40-45% chance of taking the Senate, where the map is less favorable.

Given that environment, critics said Trump’s decision to hold a “midterm convention” ― which he called “a RALLY like none other” ― felt like a move likely to backfire given the combination of his growing unpopularity and rising inflation rates.

Even the decision to host it in Dallas could be seen as a reaction to the unexpectedly tight race in Texas.

Critics hit back on X:

Donald Trump just announced a GOP midterm convention in September.Will Vanilla Ice be performing?

I'm sure it'll be a big as his fair. https://t.co/uNb22NE1y2

Donald's desperate. https://t.co/18fuh7Svdw

In case you missed it Everyone pays more for Everything under Trump. WTF.  Absolutely fucking delusional.. https://t.co/1VLlxIrlKL

Vanilla Ice and Lee Greenwood could use the money. https://t.co/pNhwNfpESN

Gee, he’s not nervous about the midterms or anything is he? https://t.co/Dl0tLevKbY

They’re desperate. https://t.co/W8WnN9SCQL

I set the over/under on elected GOP members of Congress who show up at this ‘convention’ at no more than 35%.  None of them want to stand that close to Trump’s agenda. https://t.co/B0ZAt4jQZs

Don't think this is going to be a smart idea when gas prices have rocketed up in a month https://t.co/f006Jw5Izb

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