Trump backs Ken Paxton in Texas Senate runoff as GOP feud intensifies

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the May 26 Republican Senate runoff, positioning Paxton against incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Trump praised Paxton as a "true MAGA Warrior" and criticized Cornyn for lacking loyalty during difficult moments. The endorsement arrived amid a tightly contested race that could determine whether the traditionally secure Republican seat stays in GOP hands.

Texas Republican Party chair Abraham George urged both candidates to cease negative advertising ahead of the runoff. Paxton indicated willingness to halt his attacks, while Cornyn’s campaign vowed to continue highlighting what it describes as Paxton’s past misconduct, including alleged plea‑bargaining in a child‑sex‑offender case. The runoff has become the most expensive in U.S. history, with $25 million spent on ads—$19.9 million for Cornyn and $5.1 million for Paxton. Early voting shows nearly 300,000 Texans have already cast ballots, setting the stage for a decisive contest that could influence the balance of power in the Senate and reflect the ongoing struggle between establishment Republicans and Trump‑aligned populists.