Trump blames Cornyn and Rove for potential Ken Paxton Senate loss

President Donald Trump has accused Senator John Cornyn and Republican strategist Karl Rove of attempting to sabotage Ken Paxton’s Texas Senate campaign. In a series of Truth Social posts, Trump claimed the two men are working to make it difficult for Paxton, the state’s Attorney General, to win the upcoming midterm election against Democratic challenger James Talarico.

The tension follows a contentious May Republican primary in which Paxton, endorsed by Trump, defeated the four-term incumbent Cornyn in a runoff. Since then, Cornyn has criticized Paxton’s campaigning abilities and has declined to endorse him or direct campaign funds toward his bid. Trump urged Republicans who previously supported Cornyn to unite behind Paxton to prevent a victory by Talarico, whom he described as the “antithesis of Texas values.”

Recent polling indicates a highly competitive race, with Talarico holding narrow leads in several surveys. The contest has become one of the most expensive in the country, with outside spending exceeding $158 million as the race moves toward the November 3 election.