President Donald Trump is going all out for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ahead of Tuesday's Republican Senate runoff, framing the race as a loyalty test for the MAGA movement. In a Sunday post on Truth Social, Trump praised Paxton as 'a GREAT Attorney General, probably the best in the Country,' while taking a swing at his opponent, Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), calling him 'VERY disloyal' during Trump's presidency.
Trump also accused Democrats of 'Weaponization' of the government against him and credited Paxton for staying loyal through those battles. 'He was also very loyal to your favorite President, ME, as the Democrats played their ultimate game of Weaponization, and failed, BADLY!' Trump wrote.
The president used the endorsement to push his election integrity agenda, including voter ID laws, proof of citizenship requirements, and limits on mail-in voting. He criticized Cornyn for not fighting hard enough for the 'SAVE AMERICA ACT,' which Trump described as supporting 'VOTER I.D., PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS.' He ended with a direct appeal: 'Vote for Ken Paxton on Tuesday, HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!!!'
Cornyn did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Last week, Trump formally backed Paxton in the closely watched race, effectively sidelining Cornyn ahead of the GOP primary runoff. 'Ken is a true MAGA Warrior who has ALWAYS delivered for Texas, and will continue to do so in the United States Senate,' Trump wrote on social media.
The runoff was set to be decided on Tuesday after a tough campaign between the Texas attorney general and the senator. Senate Republicans expressed frustration and disappointment over Trump's decision to endorse Paxton instead of Cornyn, according to reports. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) called Paxton 'ethically challenged' and said Cornyn was an 'outstanding senator and deserved in my judgment the president's support.' She added that she was disappointed in the decision, even though it was ultimately the president's call.
Image via Shutterstock/ Joshua Sukoff
