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◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Ken Paxton over Cornyn in heated Texas Senate GOP runoff

Trump’s endorsement of Paxton and criticism of Cornyn put his influence in the Republican primary at the center of the story.

Trump endorses Ken Paxton over Cornyn in heated Texas Senate GOP runoff
Image · Fox News

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Outlet credibilityFox News70/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026
Fox News
May 26, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff, a contest the article presents as a test of Trump’s influence and a potential factor in control of the Senate. The candidates traded arguments over loyalty, electability and Paxton’s controversies.

Community verdict

23 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton and criticized Cornyn

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican senator and Senate candidate in the Texas runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate in the Texas runoff endorsed by Trump

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate who will face the runoff winner

Representative and former Democratic Senate primary candidate

Former president whose administration Paxton sued

Texas representative running in the Democratic primary for the 18th Congressional District

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative and Republican critic of Trump

Texas state representative and Republican House candidate in the newly drawn 9th Congressional District

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader supporting Cornyn

Texas representative and sister of Carlos De La Cruz

Democratic candidate in the Texas 35th Congressional District runoff

Julie Johnson
D · TX-32

Texas representative running in the Democratic primary for the 33rd Congressional District

Chip Roy
R · TX-21

Texas representative running in the Republican attorney general runoff

Al Green
D · TX-9

Texas representative running in the Democratic primary for the 18th Congressional District

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator mentioned in connection with Trump’s role in his primary defeat

Representative who backed Johnny Garcia

Democratic candidate in the Texas 35th Congressional District runoff

Republican House candidate in the newly drawn 9th Congressional District

Republican candidate in the Texas 35th Congressional District runoff

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and former employer of Chip Roy

Colin Z. Allred
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former Texas representative and candidate in the Democratic primary for the 33rd Congressional District

John Lujan
R · TX

Texas state representative and Republican candidate in the 35th District runoff

ALSO MENTIONED  Barack Obama, Former president whose administration Paxton sued; Greg Abbott, Texas governor who endorsed Briscoe Cain; Joe Jaworski, Former Galveston mayor and Democratic attorney general candidate; Mayes Middleton, Texas state senator and Republican attorney general candidate; Nathan Johnson, Texas state senator and Democratic attorney general candidate

Part of a bigger story

5 OUTLETS
Trump-Endorsed Ken Paxton Wins Texas Senate Primary Runoff

The outlets agree that Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in Texas’s Republican Senate primary runoff, which Paxton won. Left-leaning outlets focus on donor and strategist concerns about the race’s cost and money diverted from other contests. Center outlets relay Karl Rove’s warning that Trump’s endorsement may carry political costs, citing Paxton’s record and controversies. Right-leaning outlets argue that Trump’s personal grievances shaped his choice and could hurt Republicans in November.

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