President Donald Trump took the stage in Denton, Texas, on Thursday to rally support for Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. While lauding Paxton’s steadfast loyalty, Trump added a light‑hearted jab, calling the attorney general “a pain in the ass sometimes.”
Trump’s praise and teasing
“When I’ve faced criticism, Ken has been at my side more than anybody,” Trump said, before smiling and adding, “And I have to always remember that because he could be a pain in the ass sometimes. I’ll be honest.” The comment was delivered to a crowd of local supporters and underscored Trump’s continued backing of Paxton in a pivotal GOP primary.
Paxton’s campaign under pressure
Despite Trump’s endorsement, Paxton’s campaign appears to be wrestling with internal concerns. The New York Times released audio of Paxton speaking privately to conservative donors and lobbyists, noting that the recent Republican convention in Texas “dropped our numbers.” He said, “Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.” The leaked remarks suggest the convention may have hurt the candidate’s momentum.
Trump’s response to the leak
When pressed by CNN’s Kristen Holmes about whether he had spoken to Paxton after the audio surfaced, Trump replied, “No, I haven’t.” He also told reporters at an Oval Office event that he had not heard the recording. During the Denton appearance, Trump asked the audience, “Is he here? By the way – oh, there he is. Good. I didn’t even know if he’s here,” indicating he was unaware of Paxton’s presence until the moment.
Why the Texas race matters
Paxton’s bid for the U.S. Senate is a key contest for the GOP in Texas, a state where the party seeks to maintain its dominant position. Trump’s public support, combined with his occasional ribbing, reflects a strategy of personalizing the campaign while keeping the focus on loyalty to the former president’s agenda.
Local reaction
Attendees in Denton responded positively to Trump’s remarks, cheering the president’s endorsement and his candid, humorous tone. Local Republican leaders praised the event as a boost for Paxton’s outreach efforts across the state.
Looking ahead
The upcoming primary will test whether Trump’s endorsement can offset the reported dip in Paxton’s campaign numbers. As the race intensifies, both the Trump administration and Texas GOP officials are likely to continue emphasizing loyalty and shared conservative values to rally voters.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
