President Donald Trump said Thursday that the opening night of the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas was a “major” hit that drew bigger overall numbers than the NFL season opener.
“The Republican Midterm Convention last night, in Dallas, was a major, sold-out hit, far bigger, better, and more important than anyone thought possible,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday morning.
“It was really something, streaming all over the place, and really big numbers, despite going up against the NFL. The overall numbers beat the NFL,” he added.
Trump did not provide viewership figures or specify which measurements he was using to compare the convention with the NFL game.
The convention competed Wednesday night with the NFL’s season opener between the New England Patriots and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The nationally televised game began at 8:20 p.m. ET, while Trump’s address began shortly after 9 p.m.
The Seahawks defeated the Patriots 13-10 in Seattle. Official viewership numbers had not been released as of Thursday morning.
The head-to-head scheduling attracted attention before the convention because of the NFL’s traditionally large television audiences.
Last year’s season opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys reached a peak audience of 34.4 million viewers, while Trump’s acceptance speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention drew 28.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen figures cited by The Wall Street Journal.
Trump also said Wednesday’s gathering set an attendance record at American Airlines Center, home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and the NHL’s Dallas Stars.
“The Arena, which was really nice, beat its own attendance records. The place was packed!” Trump wrote. “There were thousands of people outside who couldn’t get in. Screens were provided.”
“I guess people LOVE TRUMP POLITICS!” Trump added.
The Republican gathering is the party’s first midterm convention and is intended to promote GOP candidates and the party’s agenda ahead of the November elections. Trump used his Wednesday address to urge supporters to vote as though he were on the ballot as Republicans seek to retain control of the House and Senate.
Trump is scheduled to return Thursday night after Vice President JD Vance’s address to deliver the convention’s closing remarks.
“I’ll be there again tonight to close out the show,” Trump wrote. “Exciting ‘Stuff!’ MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”