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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump's Texas Deal Dilemma

Schlichter urges Trump to condition his endorsement on Senate action and commitments from Cornyn.

Trump's Texas Deal Dilemma
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This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Mar 12, 2026
tl;dr

Kurt Schlichter argues that President Trump should use his influence in the Texas Senate runoff to secure passage of the SAVE Act and a recess before endorsing John Cornyn. The column criticizes Cornyn and Ken Paxton as flawed candidates and says Paxton’s candidacy could make it easier for James Talarico to win.

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How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States
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No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Trump in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Trump’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

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Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President weighing an endorsement in the Texas Republican Senate runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Republican Senate runoff candidate criticized by the author

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

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate runoff candidate

Paxton's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate and potential general-election opponent

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate Majority Leader, described as favoring Cornyn

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader, mentioned in a comparison of leadership choices

James Lankford
R · OK · SEN

Senator mentioned in a comparison with Cornyn

ALSO MENTIONED  Bill Clinton, Former president mentioned in a comparison about personal conduct

Part of a bigger story

4 OUTLETS
Trump Signals Endorsement in Texas Senate Republican Runoff

Trump is weighing an endorsement in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, where John Cornyn and Ken Paxton are contenders. Left-leaning outlets focus on James Talarico’s criticism of Trump’s Iran policy. Center outlets assess whether an endorsement could help Cornyn in the runoff and whether either Republican could unite the party for the general election. Right-leaning outlets frame the endorsement as leverage to secure Senate action on the SAVE Act and advance Trump’s agenda, while discussing the candidates’ risks.

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