Trump leads supporters in pledge to 'cheat like hell' at Republican midterm convention

President Donald Trump led his supporters in an unusual pledge at the Republican midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday night.

"Please raise your right hand. I pledge, to the greatest president in the history of the United States, that loves us so much he can't even breathe, that I will go out with my family, my friends, I'll do it any way, I don't care if I'm registered or not, I'm gonna try and cheat like hell like they do, there's never been bigger cheaters, they don't care. I am gonna go out and I'm going to get my friends and family and we are going to vote on November 3rd, or we are going to vote before that!" Trump had the entire crowd repeat after him.

The display was widely described as blatant, cultlike behavior, and Trump's MAGA base appeared to embrace it. The "cheat like hell" line underscores criticism that Trump's rhetoric about election fraud has always been self-serving, as he appears unconcerned with legal boundaries as long as he wins.

Convention Struggles

The Republican midterm convention got off to a poor start Wednesday, with rows of empty seats at the American Airlines Center outside of Dallas. Trump attempted to generate news by pledging to give $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress after November's elections — an apparent incentive to drive voter turnout. However, even some of his most ardent supporters are reportedly not buying it.

The convention was mocked online as a "Trumpalooza," with Republicans forced to desperately fill seats at the last minute. Observers suggest this indicates that Trump's remaining support is limited to a small, cultlike base, which may not be sufficient to secure the GOP's political fortunes in November.

Trump Clashes with ABC Reporter Rachel Scott

President Trump confronted ABC's Rachel Scott after she questioned the rationale behind his proposed national midterm voter incentive.

"Mr. President, on the checks: The U.S. is still $40 trillion in debt. If your economic policies are working, why do you need an incentive for people to turn out to vote?" she asked Thursday night.

"I didn't do it for turning out the vote, I did it as a reward for people having to put up with five years and four years of a horrible situation caused by Biden," Trump replied. "You look at the border, you look at the crime.... It's almost a reward for the people having to put up with Biden's policies."

"But you also offered checks through—"

"Not you. Not you!" Trump snapped, leaning in threateningly close to Scott. "Hey, not you," he said again with a snarl. "Your network … you're the worst."

This is not the first time Trump has reacted angrily to a tough question from a female journalist:

• In April, he yelled "Quiet, quiet, quiet!" at CNN's Kristen Holmes, calling her disrespectful for asking a question about U.S. relations with North Korea.
• He has directed transphobic attacks at CNN's Kaitlan Collins.
• Last year, he told Bloomberg reporter Catherine Lucey, "Quiet, Piggy!."
• He has also lashed out at Scott before, calling her "stupid" after she asked about gas prices.

His response to Scott has been cited as further evidence of his disdain for female journalists and his lack of preparedness for straightforward questions.

Trump Complains He Cannot Award Himself the Medal of Honor

While delivering remarks at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Texas on Thursday, President Trump complained to a room full of medal recipients that he cannot have one himself.

"The thing I really want is I want for myself a Congressional Medal of Honor, and I've studied it and I will give it to myself. I have no problem, but I'm not allowed to. Can you believe it? The one thing I'm not allowed to do," Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience.