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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump endorses Texas AG Ken Paxton in key Senate runoff that divided Republicans

Cornyn said he would remain in the runoff after Trump endorsed his opponent.

Trump endorses Texas AG Ken Paxton in key Senate runoff that divided Republicans
Image · Yahoo News

SOURCE CHECK

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

Credibility rates Yahoo News, which republished this story. The other scores rate the article itself.

Republished with credit

Republished from USA Today, with credit to the original publisher.

USA Today81/100 HIGH

13 stories · 79–84 · updated Oct 5, 2026

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

Yahoo Newsvia USA Today
May 19, 2026
tl;dr

President Donald Trump endorsed Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn in Texas’s Republican Senate runoff, prompting concern among some Senate Republicans about Paxton’s chances in November. The endorsement could affect Republicans’ effort to hold the Senate seat against Democrat James Talarico.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
John Cornyn R · TX · SEN
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

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

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Incumbent Republican senator and candidate in the Texas runoff

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate endorsed by Trump in the Texas runoff

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

President who endorsed Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate nominee who would face the runoff winner

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

South Carolina senator who commented on Paxton’s path in the race

John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate majority leader who praised Cornyn and reacted to Trump’s decision

Mike Rounds
R · SD · SEN

South Dakota senator who said some Republican senators were disappointed by Trump’s decision

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate minority leader who said Trump’s endorsement improved Democrats’ chances

Bill Cassidy
R · LA · SEN

Louisiana senator mentioned in connection with Trump’s influence in Republican primaries

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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