Skip to main content
4 min read
◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn

Trump endorsed Paxton and criticized Cornyn’s past support for him.

Trump endorses Ken Paxton in Texas GOP primary, boosting his challenge to incumbent Sen. Cornyn
Image · KOB.com

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Host credibilityKOB.com81/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates KOB.com, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

Republished with credit

Republished from Associated Press, with credit to the original publisher.

Associated Press96/100 HIGH

457 stories · 96–97 · updated Oct 7, 2026

This is Associated Press's own score, and this article is credited to Associated Press. The host score in the Source Check is KOB.com's.

KOB.comvia Associated Press
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff against incumbent John Cornyn, giving Paxton a high-profile boost ahead of the May 26 vote. The endorsement sharpens a contest that party leaders say could affect the party’s resources and chances in the general election.

Community verdict

27 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 in the Texas Senate runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the Texas runoff

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

Incumbent senator and Republican Senate candidate in the Texas runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic candidate who will face the Republican nominee in the general election

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator mentioned as a recent Republican primary defeat

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Texas representative who finished third in the primary

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

Senator and Republican leader supporting Cornyn

Part of a bigger story

84 OUTLETS
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Senate Runoff

Outlets agree that President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff. Left-leaning outlets often stress that the endorsement could weaken Republicans in November and help Democrat James Talarico. Center outlets report the endorsement and reactions, including Republican concerns about its effects on the race and the party’s prospects. Right-leaning outlets often present Trump’s backing as a boost for Paxton and emphasize his rationale, though some also examine electoral risks or Republican dissent.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…