GOP leaders condemned socialism and ignored resentment building toward President Trump in their convention speeches. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R., La.), used his time at the podium as an audition to be the minority leader if Republicans lose their majority in the House. He urged his party to vote against socialism, "Biden inflation" and Democratic attempts to raise taxes. "These people are insane," he said.

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R., Minn.), said the election was a battle between common sense and Democratic socialists, whom he called out by name. He called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a "commie" and chastised Rep. Ilhan Omar (D., Minn.) and Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for a Senate seat in Michigan. Far-left candidates "want to abolish the Senate," he said-and, after a pause, joked, "Well, all right."