Trump endorses Paxton for Texas Senate whilst internal tensions simmer over leaked criticism
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Donald Trump publicly backed Ken Paxton's bid for the Texas Senate seat against Democrat James Talarico, delivering remarks at a rally that mixed joking criticism with formal endorsement. Trump's support proved crucial for Paxton to secure the Republican primary nomination, and the former president travelled to campaign alongside him despite underlying tensions within the party.
However, the endorsement has been overshadowed by leaked comments in which Paxton privately criticised Trump's Dallas convention, exposing fractures in their relationship. The episode has revived concerns among some Republicans about Paxton's political discipline and his viability as a Senate candidate in what promises to be a closely contested race that could influence control of the chamber.
- Trump endorsed Ken Paxton for Texas Senate against Democrat James Talarico, though his remarks included playful jabs at the candidate
- Leaked criticism from Paxton about Trump's Dallas convention has sparked fresh doubts among Republicans about his judgment and electoral prospects
- The endorsement remains significant for Paxton's primary campaign despite the emerging tensions between the two figures
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Ken Paxton is Texas's attorney general and a Republican politician running for a US Senate seat. He faces Democrat James Talarico in a race expected to be closely contested. The outcome of Senate races in key states like Texas will influence which party controls the chamber after the election.
Donald Trump, the former US president, has become an influential figure in Republican primary elections. His endorsement is valuable to candidates seeking the Republican nomination, and Trump has publicly backed Paxton's bid and campaigned alongside him. Trump's support was crucial in helping Paxton secure the Republican party's nomination.
However, the two men have experienced friction despite Trump's public endorsement. Private disagreements between them have become public knowledge, fuelling questions among some Republicans about the stability of their alliance. The tensions highlight broader divisions within the Republican party as it prepares for the general election campaign.
Full account
Donald Trump reaffirmed his support for Ken Paxton at a rally in Denton, Texas, on Thursday, even as a leaked recording exposed private criticism by the Republican Senate candidate of a recent Trump event. The president called Paxton a longstanding friend and praised his loyalty, while joking that the Texas attorney general could sometimes be difficult. Trump said the party had to win the Senate election, in which Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in November.
The tension stems from remarks Paxton reportedly made to donors about a Republican convention held in Dallas earlier this month. In audio published by The New York Times, Paxton said that poll numbers had fallen after the event and described the situation as unfavourable. The recording is muffled, and it is unclear whom a questioner meant when asking whether a particular person was a drag on the campaign. Paxton’s comments nevertheless drew attention because he has publicly been one of Trump’s staunchest allies and had been prominent at the convention.
Asked about the recording before the rally, Trump dismissed any suggestion that the Dallas gathering had gone badly, calling it a success. In Denton, he recalled Paxton’s support during earlier political battles and described him as one of the country’s best attorneys general. His jokes at Paxton’s expense sat alongside an explicit show of support. Trump said he had not known whether Paxton was at the rally until he spotted him in the crowd.
The episode comes as Republicans weigh the risk of a competitive Senate race in a state where their party has held the seat for decades. One report describes private doubts among Republicans about Paxton’s prospects and says his allies suspect a political opponent deliberately leaked the recording; those claims are attributed to unnamed sources and are not established by the audio itself. For now, Trump’s public backing remains intact, but the leak has made visible a disagreement over the effect of his Dallas convention and the challenges facing Paxton’s campaign.
Where outlets differ
Source 1 concentrates on Trump’s rally remarks, Paxton’s presence and what can be heard in the recording. Source 2 gives more weight to private Republican concerns about Paxton’s chances and to his allies’ suspicion that the leak was intended to damage him. Both supplied reports appear to be from the Daily Mail; they do not establish who leaked the audio or whether the Dallas convention caused the reported polling decline.
Coverage
- Daily Mail — Trump jokes about backing Paxton in pivotal Texas Senate race
- Daily Mail — Leaked Paxton criticism revives Republican doubts ahead of Texas Senate race
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