Trump slams Republicans for Ken Paxton’s poor numbers in Texas: ‘Weak and ineffective political hacks’
Feeling the heat.
The race for the Texas Senate seat is heating up, and things are getting pretty tense between President Donald Trump and prominent figures in the Republican Party. According to POLITICO, president Trump recently took to Truth Social to air his frustrations, specifically targeting Senator John Cornyn and longtime GOP strategist Karl Rove.
In his October 16, 2026, post, Trump blamed them for the current struggle his endorsed candidate, Attorney General Ken Paxton, is facing against Democratic challenger James Talarico. It is a surprising development in a state that is usually considered a lock for the GOP. Trump did not hold back in his assessment of the situation.
He wrote, “Sadly, and very stupidly, John Cornyn, and his Liddle’ Buddy, Super RINO, Karl Rove, are doing everything possible to make it hard for Ken Paxton, the Greatest Attorney General in the History of Texas, and one of the Best in the United States, to win the upcoming Midterm Election against a Radical Left Lunatic, James TalaFREAKO, who is the ANTITHESIS of Texas Values.”
The post made it sound like Trump was feeling the pressure of the race
Trump further stated, “If Ken Paxton loses, it will be because of WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Political Hacks like John Cornyn and Karl Rove, who have ineffectively opposed me for my entire political career.” He then called on those who previously supported Cornyn to shift their allegiance to Paxton immediately, adding that Paxton would be “a great senator,” just like he had been “a great attorney general.”
The friction between the President and Senator Cornyn is nothing new, especially after Cornyn lost the primary to Paxton by a significant margin. Cornyn has been vocal about his concerns regarding Paxton as a candidate, often citing various scandals surrounding the attorney general. Since his primary defeat, Cornyn has not campaigned for Paxton and has been openly critical of the administration.
Meanwhile, the financial side of this election is staggering. James Talarico has managed to raise an incredible amount of money, including a record-breaking $64 million during the summer months. His total fundraising has surpassed $134 million since the campaign kicked off. In response, Paxton has been working to keep pace, announcing a $20 million ad buy just last month after raising $18 million in the third quarter of 2026.
Republicans are clearly worried about the prospect of losing this seat
Outside conservative groups have already poured $235 million into the race to combat Talarico. There is a sense of urgency among party leadership, as some members are concerned that the massive spending in Texas is taking vital resources away from other competitive states. Some Republicans have even expressed frustration with Paxton after audio surfaced of him blaming the President for his own campaign difficulties.
Despite the mounting pressure and the narrowing polls, Trump remains firm in his support. According to The Hill, he recently addressed his decision to back Paxton during an appearance on Newsmax.
When asked if he had any regrets about choosing Paxton over Cornyn, he said, “No, because I think Cornyn would have lost. I think Cornyn would have lost.” He continued to praise Paxton, saying, “Ken Paxton, some people don’t love him, but everybody admits he was the best attorney general in the history of Texas, one of the best in the country.”
The President also acknowledged that Paxton is an unconventional figure but argued that his performance as attorney general should outweigh those personality concerns. He noted that while Paxton might be a little different, he is the best at what he does.
As the election approaches, the situation remains fluid
The race has shifted from a safe Republican hold to a toss-up, according to various election observers. Decision Desk HQ currently gives Talarico a 56% chance of winning the seat. The President has also started targeting Talarico directly on social media, accusing him of wanting to ban oil drilling in Texas. He wrote on Friday, “That should be the end of his [Talarico’s] campaign.”
The stakes for both parties could not be higher. While Texas has historically been a reliable stronghold for the GOP, the current polling and the massive influx of cash suggest that the dynamic is shifting. Whether the President’s call for unity will be enough to push Paxton over the finish line remains to be seen. For now, the infighting among Republicans is adding another layer of complexity to one of the most expensive and closely watched Senate battles in recent times.
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