Trump Endorses Ken Paxton Over Incumbent John Cornyn In Texas Senate Primary Runoff

President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate primary runoff over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, with the runoff set for next Tuesday.

“Trump endorses Paxton in Texas, gambling on a challenger with baggage in a crucial race US President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his bid to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn in next Tuesday's Republican primary run-off race”

BBC

Trump wrote on Truth Social, "Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and he is a WINNER!"

BBC

The BBC said Trump’s move backed a challenger with "considerable political baggage" as Cornyn sought to unseat Paxton in the Republican primary runoff.

The Hill reported that Paxton and Cornyn will meet in a runoff next Tuesday, with the winner facing off against state Rep. James Talarico (D).

Cornyn said he expected Trump to remain neutral, but after the endorsement he posted on X that he has voted with Trump more than 99% of the time.

The BBC reported Maine Senator Susan Collins called Paxton "ethically challenged" and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "supremely disappointed."

CNBC

In response to Trump’s endorsement, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he was "very confident we’ll hang on — and maybe even expand the majority of the United States Senate."

NPR quoted Cornyn telling reporters, "I think that ship has probably sailed," after he voted at a polling site in far South Austin Monday, the first full day of the state's early voting for runoffs in the primaries.

Beyond the Texas race, The Hill reported acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said anyone in the U.S. could apply to a $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" and that "a commission would determine payouts."

“President Donald Trump on Tuesday decided to take reporters on a tour of the construction of his highly unpopular ballroom — harping on his public obsession with a project that’s giving his party political fits”

CNN

CNN said Trump "pulled his $10 billion lawsuit" and created a "$1.8 billion fund" to pay allies, with additional terms added so the Internal Revenue Service can’t bring claims against Trump, his family or businesses for past tax issues.

CNN also quoted Senate Majority Leader John Thune saying, "Yeah, not a big fan. I’m not sure exactly how they intend to use it."

In the Texas contest, the BBC said the winner of Tuesday's primary will go on to face Democrat James Talarico, and it noted that it has been 32 years since a Democratic candidate won a statewide election in Texas.