Trump quips Paxton is ‘pain in the ass,’ ‘a little controversial’
At campaign events in Texas and Oklahoma, former President Donald Trump called his endorsed Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, "a pain in the ass" and acknowledged Paxton is "a little controversial," while defending his loyalty during past fights with the political left. Trump made the comments at a Peterbilt plant in Denton, Texas, and later at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, in remarks that were unusually frank about one of his own backers just weeks before the November election.
Why It Matters
The remarks highlight internal tensions and candid dynamics within Republican support for Paxton as the race tightens; outside groups have already committed large sums to the contest and national polls show it competitive. Those factors could shape resource allocation and messaging ahead of Election Day.
Key Facts
- Who spoke: Former President Donald Trump
- Subject: Texas Attorney General and Senate candidate Ken Paxton
- Locations of remarks: Peterbilt Motors plant in Denton, Texas; campaign rally in Durant, Oklahoma
- Trump quotes: Called Paxton "a pain in the ass" and "a little controversial"; said Paxton stood by him "more than anybody"
- Opponent: Democrat James Talarico (running for Sen. John Cornyn's seat)
At a campaign stop in Denton, Texas, former President Donald Trump publicly described his endorsed Senate candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, as "a pain in the ass" while also praising Paxton's loyalty during earlier political attacks. Trump made the remarks at a Peterbilt Motors Company plant and later reiterated them at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, calling Paxton "a little controversial" but asserting he is among the country's strongest attorneys general.
Paxton was present at the Denton event. Earlier in the week a leaked audio clip reported by The New York Times captured Paxton saying a Republican midterm convention had hurt his polling, comments his campaign denounced as manipulated and claimed his numbers had since improved. The Hill reported it had reached out to Paxton's campaign for comment on Trump's remarks.
The race for the open Texas Senate seat, being vacated by Republican Sen. John Cornyn, is drawing significant outside spending and close public polling. Decision Desk HQ's polling average cited in the reporting showed Democrat James Talarico leading Paxton 48 percent to 45 percent. Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC has already spent $20 million supporting Paxton, and a separate super PAC connected to Senate Republican leadership is prepared to spend at least $100 million on the contest.
Political handicappers view the contest as competitive: the Cook Political Report has rated the seat a "toss-up." Trump's unusually candid comments about an ally come as some national Republicans, including Cornyn, have reportedly declined to assist Paxton with fundraising, while other GOP-aligned groups have stepped in with major financial commitments.
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