In 2024, President Trump accepted the Republican nomination promising to "lead America back to the summit of human achievement and greatness." In 2026, he closed an unusual midterm convention by saying he was a little bored of politics. He seemed more interested in telling supporters to swear on something holy — himself — that they would vote for Republican candidates in November.

"Please raise your right hand," Mr. Trump instructed a rowdy crowd in a Dallas arena on Thursday. Many complied. "I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States... that I will go out with my family, my friends... I'm going to try and cheat like hell, like they do." He added: "I am going to go out... and we are going to vote on November 3."

Speaking for nearly two and a half hours over two days in Texas, Mr. Trump made clear he would rely on his political brand for daunting midterms. He would not stray from his comfort zone to help vulnerable Republicans. "I'm getting a little bit tired of politics now," he said.

Asked by Laura Ingraham if he would campaign harder than ever, he replied "No." He was blasé about losing Congress: "I'll block all their bad stuff for two years. It won't be the same, but I'll be a blocker, what can I tell you?"