In the high-profile Republican runoff for U.S. Senate in Texas, President Donald Trump on Tuesday endorsed state Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn.
Calling Paxton “an America First Patriot, and someone who has always been extremely loyal to me and our AMAZING MAGA MOVEMENT,” Trump said on Truth Social that he knows Ken well, and he has “seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a WINNER!”
“Ken is a Strong Supporter of TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER and, very importantly, THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, something which polls at 87%, including Dumocrats, and yet can’t seem to get approved. Perhaps Ken can help move these important elements of Government forward because with the Filibuster, as an example, the Democrats will terminate it on their First Day in Office, giving us two extra States, D.C. and Puerto Rico, and a greatly enlarged Supreme Court of the United States, probably going with their Dream Number of 21 Justices from the 9 that we currently have – And these new Justices will be Radical Left Lunatics!”
“Ken Paxton has gone through a lot, in many cases, very unfairly, but he is a Fighter, and knows how to WIN. Our Country needs Fighters, and also Loyalty to the Cause of Greatness.”
WATCH:
🚨JUST IN: President Trump announces he will be endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
Will Cain sits down with Ken Paxton at 4PM EST on the @WillCainShow. pic.twitter.com/hK5nyuuWqv
— Outnumbered (@OutnumberedFNC) May 19, 2026
Trump explained: “John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough and, despite having the Most Successful Economy in the History of our Country during my First Term and, with all of the many other things that I accomplished (Secure Border, Military Dominance, Space Force, All Time High Stock Markets and 401(k)s, Record Job and Economic Growth, and so many other things that would be impossible to readily list!), which are considered by many to be legendary, John was very late in backing me in what turned out to be a Historic Run for the Republican Nomination, and then, the Presidency, itself, both of which were Landslide Victories and, more importantly, gave us the Country that we have today — THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA … .”
Paxton is thrilled with the news, saying: “I am incredibly honored to have President Trump’s COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT. No one has ever fought harder for the American people than President Trump, and I look forward to championing his America First agenda in the Senate!”
The winner of the Republican runoff will face James Talarico in the general election in November, as he defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the high-profile Democrat primary.
🚨 VP JD Vance explains exactly why President Trump endorsed Ken Paxton, practically ENDING John Cornyn’s career
“When it REALLY counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president, and that’s why he ultimately earned the president’s endorsement.”
“You… pic.twitter.com/sJGwK7cNBI
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 19, 2026
“This is a massive deal,” said former White House Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany concerning Trump’s endorsement of Paxton. “This is a new ballgame.”
“This just goes to show President Trump is making moves and if you’re not on board with his agenda, he’s ready to move on.”
🚨BREAKING: President Trump announces he will be endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Republican Senate runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
@kayleighmcenany: “This is a massive deal.. this just goes to show President Trump is making moves and if… pic.twitter.com/P0tT5xz0SE
— Outnumbered (@OutnumberedFNC) May 19, 2026
But John Yoo, former law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, warned the backing of Paxton could be disastrous for Republicans.
“I just spent the last semester at UT-Austin, so I’ve been sort of marinating in Texas culture. I think unfortunately this raises the risks though that the Republicans will lose the Senate because I think Cornyn would have cruised to re-election,” Yoo explained Tuesday on “Outnumbered” on the Fox News Channel.
“This guy Talarico is a young charismatic … they think he’s gonna be like Obama. The Republican Party’s gonna have to spend tens and tens of millions of dollars that they wouldn’t have to spend otherwise because, I hate to say it, but Paxton’s a very flawed candidate. He was impeached, almost convicted. He’s had a lot of problems, both financial and personal, and this could be a loss that would be an easy win if the president had just endorsed the incumbent.”
Fox News contributor Kennedy responded to Yoo’s concern, saying: “Paxton may be a flawed candidate, but Talarico is as well. He’s one of this people that on first blush might seem attractive, but then if you start parsing some of the statements that he has made, Texas is still a red state, and there are a lot of voters there who aren’t going to put up with his hypocrisy. So I think Paxton is still in a good position and it definitely means something to have the president’s endorsement. This is no small thing.”
🚨 LMAO! Ken Paxton supporters just BROKE OUT into the YMCA dance during a campaign event after learning of President Trump endorsing against John Cornyn
MAGA is ready to surge to the polls and elect Ken Paxton!
47 is sealing John Cornyn’s fate 🔥
📽️ @cbs11jack pic.twitter.com/e0qQVDOfXF
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 19, 2026
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