A lookalike website for the Republican convention in Dallas is redirecting visitors to the Justice Department’s Epstein files library just days before the GOP’s first-ever midterm convention on September 9-10. The domain gopdallas2026.com, which mimics the official convention website, had been tricking visitors for weeks before its redirect to the DOJ’s Epstein files became widely noticed on September 4.
The fake site was promoted by the Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political action committee founded by moderate Republicans. According to reporting from the Washington Examiner and other outlets, the lookalike domain was designed to appear official and rose high in search results for people seeking information about the Dallas event.
The official GOP convention website clarifies that it is “an independent informational resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated” by the Republican National Committee. The actual convention will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on September 9-10, featuring President Trump and serving as a rally to energize Republican voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The timing of the fake site redirect adds another layer to an already unusual convention week. An Epstein files “reading room” and bookmobile containing 3.5 million pages of documents previously released by the Department of Justice is scheduled to visit Dallas from September 8-12, according to the Washington Examiner. The traveling exhibit, displayed earlier in New York and Washington, aims to maintain pressure on the Trump administration regarding the Epstein files and related prosecutions.
The convention itself represents a historic first for the Republican Party. The NBC News reporting from September 3 noted that Republicans were set to gather in Dallas for the party’s first-ever midterm convention, a move designed to energize voters before the midterm elections. The event is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. CDT to 9 p.m. CDT on both September 9 and 10.
The fake website incident highlights the broader confusion surrounding online resources related to the convention. As visitors prepare for the Dallas event, distinguishing between official GOP channels and spoofs has become necessary. The Lincoln Project’s involvement underscores the contentious political environment heading into the midterms, with groups on both sides leveraging digital tactics to shape the narrative around major Republican events.
Sources
- New York Times — reported on the fake GOP convention website redirecting to Epstein files
- Washington Examiner — provided details on the lookalike domain, Lincoln Project involvement, and Epstein files bookmobile
- Yahoo News — confirmed the redirect to DOJ’s Epstein Library and the fake website promotion
- NBC News — reported on the GOP convention as the party’s first-ever midterm event
- WFAA — provided convention schedule and details on the American Airlines Center venue
