US President Donald Trump has warned his Republican supporters that they could “go to hell” if they fail to vote in the November midterm elections.
Trump issued the warning while addressing the Republican Party’s convention in Dallas, Texas, where he called for a strong voter mobilisation effort.
The president led supporters in a pledge to vote and urged them to bring friends and relatives to the polls.
“You know what happens if you don’t vote? You go to hell,” Trump told the gathering.
Trump also told supporters to “try and cheat like hell” while repeating his allegations that Democrats engage in widespread electoral fraud.
He used the convention to tout what he described as major achievements of his administration, saying he had transformed a “dark age” into a “golden age” for the United States.
Trump cited the stock market, lower prescription drug prices, increased military spending and reduced illegal border crossings as evidence of his administration’s performance.
“In 19 months, I’ve delivered on every single promise I’ve made,” he said.
He also highlighted recent congressional measures providing tax breaks on overtime pay, tips and Social Security benefits.
Trump warned that a Democratic victory in November would threaten what he described as the gains achieved under his administration.
He alleged that Democrats would confiscate personal wealth, damage Texas’ oil and gas industry and allow violent crime to increase.
Vice President JD Vance also urged Republicans to turn out in large numbers to protect the party’s majorities in Congress.
“Don’t give the country over to a bunch of crazy people,” Vance told supporters, urging them to preserve the Republican political legacy.
The convention further strengthened Vance’s profile within the Republican Party as he campaigns alongside Trump ahead of the November elections and looks toward the party’s future beyond the current administration.
