Tillis: Trump endorsing Paxton over Cornyn was ‘colossal mistake’

Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, publicly criticized former President Donald Trump for endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton rather than backing incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Lone Star State’s Republican Senate primary earlier this year. Tillis made the remarks during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union with host Jake Tapper, calling Trump’s decision a "colossal mistake."

Tillis’s comments underscore a rift within the Republican Party over Trump’s role in shaping primary contests, particularly in high-profile races between established incumbents and challengers aligned with the former president. The dispute centers on Texas, where Paxton is the state attorney general and Cornyn serves as the sitting U.S. senator.

The interview provided a rare public rebuke from a sitting GOP senator of Trump’s endorsement choices, illustrating continuing debate among Republican leaders about the political costs and benefits of the former president's interventions in intra-party contests. Tillis framed his critique in direct terms on national television, signaling the prominence of the disagreement within party ranks.

No additional details about reactions from Trump, Paxton, or Cornyn were provided in the interview excerpt. Tillis’s remarks add to a string of public and private discussions among Republicans about strategy and unity as the party prepares for upcoming election cycles.