Story perspectives

Trump Endorses Paxton Amid Legal Clouds, GOP Risks Senate Upset

5/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
Paxton faced a dismissed 2015 investor-fraud charge, a $6.6 million judgment to aides for donor-favoritism retaliation, and a $10 million settlement that forces Texas Children’s Hospital to halt gender-transition surgeries for minors.
Republican strategists warn that Paxton’s nomination could make the Texas Senate race competitive for Democrats, a risk they deem significant.

1 of 1

Story summary

President Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
Paxton faced a dismissed 2015 investor-fraud charge, a $6.6 million judgment to aides for donor-favoritism retaliation, and a $10 million settlement that forces Texas Children’s Hospital to halt gender-transition surgeries for minors.
Republican strategists warn that Paxton’s nomination could make the Texas Senate race competitive for Democrats, a risk they deem significant.