Trump urges Americans to vote in November and warns “you go to hell”

The Republican National Convention in Dallas closed with a celebratory finale — an operatic performance, roaring applause from the president's most loyal backers and thousands of red, white and blue balloons falling from the ceiling.

Trump's closing message

In the finale of the two-day gathering, President Donald Trump delivered a forceful closing speech urging Republicans to turn out in November and, he said, to vote as if he were the name on the ballot. He attacked Democrats, warning that their triumph would bring back what he called “the lunatics” to power.

In a now‑repeated refrain Mr. Trump took his appeal a step further by telling those who might not support conservatives that the outcome would not be good for them.

“I would say that almost everyone was great. You know what happens if you don't vote? You go to hell, you know that, right? You go to hell, and I don't want that to happen to you. So please, go out and vote!” he said.

Trump also unveiled sweeping promises — the most eye‑catching being a pledge to pay $5,000 to every adult American if Republicans retain control of Congress — an idea that analysts say would face major legal and logistical obstacles if pursued.

Senator J.D. Vance echoed the same theme earlier, framing the election as a fight between “common sense” and the Republicans’ political opponents and using sharp language against those adversaries.

After the speeches, the audience heard an operatic rendition of “America the Beautiful” performed by Christopher Makio while balloons drifted down. With the spectacle and patriotic music behind them, Republicans left the convention and headed into the fall campaign trying to avert the losses current polls predict in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Photo: Daniel Torok / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)