A mock website that directs users to the Epstein files appears to be the main Google search result for the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas.
For several hours Friday, the website gopdallas2026.com surged to the top of search results with preview text offering viewers the chance to “learn more about the 2026 RNC (Republican National Committee) midterm convention.”
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But users who clicked on the website were immediately redirected to the Department of Justice’s website, where they could view files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Republicans quickly condemned the website on social media and directed visitors to GOPConvention.com as the official site instead.
“Fake news!” the party wrote about reports circulating on social media that a fake website was real.
Democratic lawmakers used the prank to galvanize debate about the Epstein file, a long-standing source of criticism of the administration of President Donald Trump, who will be a speaker at the two-day convention.
Trump administration officials are accused of bungling the release of the Epstein file, which was required to be released within 30 days under the Epstein File Transparency Act enacted in November.
Some critics have noted that certain records released by the Justice Department appear to have been redacted unnecessarily, while others reveal the identities of victims.
Trump has also faced intense scrutiny for his personal relationship with Epstein, which he insists ended decades ago.
But there has long been speculation that powerful people in Mr. Epstein’s inner circle turned a blind eye to his crimes. He was convicted of soliciting a minor in 2008 and was facing sex trafficking charges at the time of his death in 2019. His victims are believed to number in the hundreds.
Democratic lawmakers, such as California Rep. Ted Lieu, have taken advantage of coverage of the purported convention website. He shared a message from reporter Jake LaFoot saying, “Something weird is going on.”
“After testing the website, the following description is accurate at this time,” Lieu said in response to Raut. “It’s kind of amazing.”
According to an Internet Archive document that records snapshots of past websites, gopdallas2026.com included a background photo showing the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the site of the upcoming midterm convention.
The center of the website prompted users to enter their contact information to “receive exclusive updates.”
However, the bottom of the website included a warning in small print that this was not an official source of information related to the midterms.
“This website is an independent information resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Republican National Committee (RNC), the 2026 RNC Midterm Convention, American Airlines Center, or any official convention entity.”
“For official tournament information, please visit the relevant official website.”
This month’s event is the first midterm convention hosted by the Republican Party.
The event is expected to be the largest party convention since 2016, according to a press release from the Republican National Committee.
Trump is reportedly scheduled to speak on both nights in a bid to drum up enthusiasm for his party ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Republicans hope to maintain their majorities in both chambers of Congress as President Trump’s approval ratings fall to new lows in the aftermath of the war with Iran.
“No major political party in history has had a midterm convention. President Trump wants to focus on that and share this with the American people, because his whole job is to improve the lives of the American people,” RNC spokesman Zach Craft said in an interview with CBS Texas.
However, the Democratic Party held national midterm conventions in 1974, 1978, and 1982.
“So he wants to give them the opportunity to attend this event and hear directly from us.”
