Trump speaks at midterm convention in Texas

Republicans are gathering in Texas for an unusual midterm convention. US President Donald Trump has called on his supporters to cast their votes for Republican candidates during the upcoming election in November.

The two-day event started on Wednesday in Dallas. Trump's keynote speech to the crowd contained many stark warnings about the Democrats. He claimed that if Republicans don't win, Americans will lose their border, tax cuts, safety, security and wealth.

Trump said: "We hand America's future to the radical left Democrats, and our nation will spend the next decade just getting back at its feet. It will be a tragedy."

The president also promised to "issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for 5,000 dollars," if Republicans keep control of Congress.

He called it the "Trump dividend." But The New York Times reports that this could "raise legal questions," since federal laws prohibit expenditures to influence voting.

An international relations expert points out that it seems like Trump is protecting his own interests and honor, rather than protecting the Republican Party itself. Kotani Tetsuo, a professor at Meikai University, said: "I actually received a copy of his speech in advance, but the part about the 5,000 dollar payout to adult citizens was not included in the prepared script. I think there is a possibility that he may have said something on the spur of the moment."

Democrats are planning to hold a rally for their supporters near the convention and turn up the heat on the Republicans.

Trump's approval rating has been slumping. He is set to deliver a closing speech on Thursday. The focus is now on whether standing with him will help, or hurt, the Republican candidates.