Skip to main content
6 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 · WJXT

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityWJXT83/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

Credibility rates WJXT, where this article appeared. The other scores rate the article itself.

Cites Associated Press

This article cites Associated Press as its original publisher. ChamberLight has not verified that it is a republication, so the scores are WJXT's own.

Associated Press96/100 HIGH

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

This is Associated Press's own score. The Source Check scores are for WJXT and this article.

WJXTcites Associated Press
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

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 intensified concerns among some Republicans that Paxton could be a weaker nominee in November.

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 Republican Senate runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas attorney general and Republican Senate candidate in the runoff

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

Texas senator and Republican Senate candidate facing Paxton in the runoff

Cornyn's version of this story ↗

Democratic state representative and expected general-election opponent of the Republican nominee

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Kentucky representative who lost his primary after Trump backed his challenger

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator who finished third in the state’s Republican Senate primary

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Trump-endorsed Louisiana representative who finished first in the Republican Senate primary

Tim Scott
R · SC · SEN

South Carolina senator and chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

Trump-backed Republican challenger who defeated Massie in Kentucky’s primary

Louisiana state treasurer and Republican Senate candidate who advanced to the runoff

Cynthia M. Lummis
R · WY · SEN

Republican senator who said Cornyn had a better chance of winning the general election

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…