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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump backs Paxton in Texas, flexing power in final week of Senate runoff

Trump endorsed Paxton for Senate over John Cornyn in the final days before their primary.

Trump backs Paxton in Texas, flexing power in final week of Senate runoff
Image · West Hawaii Today

SOURCE CHECK

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Host credibilityWest Hawaii TodayNOT RATED
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates West Hawaii Today, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

Republished with credit

Republished from The New York Times, with credit to the original publisher.

99 stories · 94–95 · updated Oct 7, 2026

This is The New York Times's own score, and this article is credited to The New York Times. The host score in the Source Check is West Hawaii Today's.

West Hawaii Todayvia The New York Times
May 20, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in Texas’ Senate primary, prompting concern among some Republicans that Paxton could put the seat at risk in the general election. Trump cited Paxton’s support for ending the filibuster to pass stricter voting requirements.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Senate candidate endorsed by Trump

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton and urged support for ending the filibuster

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee from Texas

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative opposed by Trump

Lisa Murkowski
R · AK · SEN

Alaska senator who criticized Trump’s endorsement

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator defeated in a recent Republican primary

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator and Paxton’s opponent in the Republican primary

Part of a bigger story

93 OUTLETS
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton in Texas Republican Senate Runoff

Outlets agree President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff. Left-leaning outlets portray the endorsement as a setback for Cornyn and Republicans, stressing Paxton’s baggage and the possibility of helping Democrats. Center outlets focus on Republican concerns about the seat and Senate majority, and on what the endorsement signals about Trump’s influence and the party’s direction. Right-leaning outlets center Trump’s backing for Paxton, with some presenting it as a major boost and others noting its potential electoral consequences.

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