Trump's Texas Deal Dilemma
Schlichter says Paxton’s candidacy could complicate the general election and discusses his offer to leave the race if the Senate passes the SAVE Act.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYTownhall is an opinion-oriented outlet, and this page is a strongly partisan column rather than independent news reporting. The author is identified, but the column offers limited sourcing for several consequential characterizations and claims.
- Source type — Opinion outlet; the article is explicitly a columnist’s argument.
- Editorial standards — The polemical style and limited sourcing weaken confidence in its reporting value.
- Author attribution — The author is named and the piece is presented as his column.
- Transparency — The article identifies a recent Politico interview as a source for one claim, but does not document most assertions.
The column makes its argument clearly and identifies a reported interview and political developments, but it relies heavily on insults and unsupported assertions, with little corroboration or opposing perspective.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is a one-sided opinion column that advocates a specific strategy for Trump and offers no response from the candidates or competing perspectives on the issues.
- Counterarguments presented — No substantive counterarguments are developed.
- Loaded language — The article uses extensive derogatory language about candidates and political opponents.
- Source diversity — The argument is largely the author’s own, with minimal attributed sourcing.
- Opinion vs reporting — The piece is explicitly opinion and argues for a preferred outcome.
The column strongly favors Trump-aligned Republicans and attacks Democrats and Republicans it portrays as insufficiently conservative. Its language and framing are openly partisan rather than neutral.
- Language tone — Uses repeated insults and derisive labels for candidates and political opponents.
- Framing — Frames the decision around advancing Trump’s agenda and preventing a Democratic victory.
- Source selection — Presents the author’s conservative viewpoint with little representation of opposing arguments.
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.
Schlichter says Trump faces a difficult choice in the Texas Republican Senate runoff, with John Cornyn and Ken Paxton competing for the nomination. He criticizes both candidates, particularly Cornyn’s past cooperation with Democrats on gun legislation and his stated support for comprehensive immigration reform, while arguing that Paxton’s personal and political baggage could hurt Republicans in the general election. Schlichter also says Cornyn is more likely than Paxton to win the general election.
The column reports that Trump was said to be leaning toward Cornyn after lobbying, but argues that he should condition an endorsement on the Senate passing the SAVE Act and beginning a recess. It says Paxton has offered to leave the race if the Senate passes the bill, while Cornyn says he supports it. Schlichter urges Trump to secure passage rather than rely on promises, and to seek Cornyn’s commitment not to support future gun-control legislation or immigration reform.
Community verdict
6 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →President weighing an endorsement in the Texas Republican Senate runoff
Trump's version of this story ↗Republican Senate runoff candidate criticized by the author
Cornyn's version of this story ↗Democratic Senate candidate and potential general-election opponent
Senate Majority Leader, described as favoring Cornyn
Senate Minority Leader, mentioned in a comparison of leadership choices
Senator mentioned in a comparison with Cornyn
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