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Trump endorses Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn ahead of Texas Republican Senate runoff

Cornyn is seeking the Republican nomination after Trump endorsed his runoff opponent.

Trump endorses Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn ahead of Texas Republican Senate runoff
Image · Yahoo News

SOURCE CHECK

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Host credibilityYahoo News76/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 6, 2026

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Republished from NBC News, with credit to the original publisher.

NBC News85/100 HIGH

214 stories · 85–86 · updated Oct 7, 2026

This is NBC News's own score, and this article is credited to NBC News. The host score in the Source Check is Yahoo News's.

Yahoo Newsvia NBC News
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff, a decision that drew concern from some Republicans about the party’s chances in the fall election. The endorsement followed weeks of speculation and Trump’s earlier effort to tie his support to passage of the SAVE America Act.

Community verdict

24 VOTES
How does this story look for
John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
● OPEN

People in this story

SWIPE →
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Senator and candidate opposing Paxton in the Texas Republican runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the Texas Republican runoff

Paxton's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who endorsed Paxton in the Republican Senate runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate who will face the Republican nominee

Lindsey Graham
Former U.S. Senator (R-SC)

Senator who expressed concern about Paxton’s prospects in the general election

Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator who criticized Trump’s endorsement of Paxton

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader who urged Trump to endorse Cornyn

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Senator mentioned in connection with a recent Republican primary

Wesley Hunt
R · TX-38

Representative and former Republican Senate primary candidate who endorsed Paxton

Julia Letlow
R · LA-5

Representative who advanced to a Republican runoff after Trump endorsed her opponent

Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Senator whom Paxton said he wanted to join in supporting Trump

ALSO MENTIONED  Steve Bannon, Trump ally who has backed Paxton and commented on the endorsement

Part of a bigger story

96 OUTLETS
Trump Endorses Ken Paxton Over John Cornyn in Texas GOP Runoff

Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in the Texas Republican Senate runoff ahead of the May 26 vote. Cornyn said he would continue in the race, a response reported alongside the endorsement. Left-leaning outlets frame the endorsement chiefly as a setback for Cornyn and a possible risk to Republican prospects, often emphasizing Paxton’s record. Center outlets focus on the effect on the runoff, Republican divisions and potential general-election stakes. Right-leaning outlets generally present the endorsement as a boost for Paxton, though some weigh the consequences for Cornyn or Republican prospects.

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