Trump Headlines GOP Midterm Convention, Lewandowski Investigation, 9/11 Hero Honored: AM Update 9/9

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Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 And this is your AM Update.

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This is a once-of-a-lifetime type election season. And listen, I think we're on the cusp of defying history.

Megyn Kelly (0:46)

President Trump taking center stage at the GOP's first ever midterm convention as Republicans look to rebuild momentum and defy history.

Former top Kristi Noem advisor, Corey Lewandowski, accused of trying to turn his influence at DHS into personal profit, as investigators consider a potential criminal referral. CBS News chief correspondent Matt Gutman now dropped from a former colleague's lawsuit.

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He willingly made all of these trips up and down, up and down, up and down, over and over again, saving life after life.

Megyn Kelly (1:20)

And the man in the red bandana receiving the nation's highest civilian honor, nearly 25 years after giving his life to save others on September 11th, 2001 All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM Update.

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President Trump set to deliver the opening night keynote address at the Republican Party's first ever midterm convention tonight in Dallas as the GOP tries to build momentum less than eight weeks before election day. The president now scheduled to address the convention both nights, delivering tonight's keynote before returning tomorrow to speak after Vice President JD. Vance. Reuters reporting the president's opening night appearance was added just last week, expanding what was originally expected to be a single closing night address. The two-day event at the American Airlines Center featuring more than 100 speakers and presentations, including members of the president's cabinet, congressional leaders, and Republican candidates competing in some of the country's closest House and Senate races. Among those scheduled to appear are Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., AG Todd Blanch, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, and former White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, notably absent from the current speaker lineup, although the party has not said he will be entirely absent from the convention. CBS News reporting additional speakers could still be added while surprise guests are expected. The gathering marking a first for Republicans, National Party Conventions normally reserved for presidential election years when delegates formally nominate a ticket and approve a party platform. No such official business taking place in Dallas. Democrats holding several similar midterm conferences during the 1970s and 80s, but the idea never becoming a regular feature of American politics. The AP describing this week's event as part convention and part Trump rally, complete with entertainment and a balloon drop. The unusual gathering coming as Republicans confront the long-standing midterm disadvantage facing the party controlling the White House, while also trying to turn out voters who strongly support President Trump, but have historically been less reliable when he is not personally on the ballot. The president recently urging supporters to vote in November, as though his name were appearing alongside the Republican candidates. That effort taking on added urgency as the president struggles beyond the Republican base. AP Polling published in June finding his support among independents dropping 17 points since the 2024 campaign from 43% to 26%.

Republican support remaining more stable, though dropping since last year, falling from 95% when he first took office to 83% in January, down to 78% today, according to Pew.