Donald Trump has endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate runoff, marking the second time this cycle the former president has backed a primary challenger against a sitting Republican senator. The endorsement, delivered via a lengthy post on Truth Social on Tuesday, takes aim at incumbent Senator John Cornyn, accusing him of insufficient loyalty to Trump and the MAGA movement.
Trump's Endorsement and Criticism of Cornyn
In his post, Trump wrote, "Ken Paxton has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next United States Senator from the Great State of Texas," praising the attorney general as "someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT." He added, "John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough... John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination, and then, the Presidency, itself."
Paxton's Controversial Record
Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General, has faced multiple scandals, including securities fraud charges and an impeachment by the Texas House of Representatives in 2023 over allegations of bribery and abuse of office. Despite this, he remains a favorite among Trump loyalists. The endorsement is seen as a major blow to Cornyn, who has served in the Senate since 2002 and is seeking reelection.
This move by Trump signals his continued influence over the Republican Party and his willingness to challenge incumbents he perceives as disloyal. The Texas Senate runoff is expected to be a heated contest, with Paxton positioning himself as the true conservative alternative to Cornyn.
