Trump makes third trip to Texas in less than a month despite Ken Paxton audio leaks

Trump makes third trip to Texas in less than a month despite Ken Paxton audio leaks

President Donald Trump made his third trip to Texas in less than a month to stump for a Senate candidate who’s privately questioned his political capital and whom the president has publicly insulted in personal terms.
Such is the final sprint to the November 3 midterm elections as the GOP faces an increasingly uphill battle to hold on to the Senate, with the path to the majority running through Texas.

Republicans are pouring millions into bolstering state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who polls have shown is facing a closer-than-expected race against Democrat James Talarico in a state Trump carried by more than 13 points in 2024 and that hasn’t elected any Democrats statewide since 1994.

Trump’s Wednesday appearance in San Antonio, one Texas GOP strategist said, will be closely watched in the coming days for whether it can improve Paxton’s standing — which could determine continued investment in the state.

The president’s latest Texas trip — which comes less than a week after his last stop here — is part of an aggressive midterm travel blitz that has taken him to traditional red strongholds he overwhelmingly won two years ago, including Alabama, Oklahoma and Nebraska. The president has repeatedly told his rally crowds to “pretend” he’s on the ballot this fall, and his advisers believe their best hope for November is boosting base turnout.

But some Republicans, even in these red states, are looking for distance from the unpopular president. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will not be at Trump’s Wednesday evening rally, citing scheduling conflicts. He skipped last week’s Trump appearance too.

“It’s pretty clear to me the Paxton team has made the calculation that they believe it’s absolutely worth it,” the Texas GOP strategist said.