Dallas – At the GOP’s first‑ever midterm convention on Wednesday evening, President Trump took the stage at the American Airlines Center to endorse Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate. The president’s remarks combined praise for Paxton’s record with a light‑hearted jab at the attorney general’s look, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
Trump’s endorsement and campaign promise
“I’ll be coming back to Texas, because we have to elect Ken Paxton,” Trump said, adding that he would return “twice or three times” if necessary. The president’s pledge underscores the Trump administration’s strategy of mobilizing its base in swing districts and states ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Paxton’s own tribute to the president
Earlier in the program, Attorney General Paxton lauded President Trump, claiming the press, courts and “the establishment” had repeatedly tried to bring him down, yet he “has won every single time.” Paxton credited Trump with delivering more for the country than any prior president and standing up for Texas.
Trump’s remarks on Paxton’s record
While praising Paxton, Trump also noted the attorney general’s appearance, saying, “Some may not like the way he dresses — although tonight he looked very spiffy in his blue suit, I must tell you. I don’t. They may not like the way he talks. I can see that.” He then declared Paxton “the single greatest attorney general you’ve ever had in the history of Texas, maybe the top attorney general in the whole United States.”
Campaign context and upcoming battles
The convention, billed as a “campaign barnstorm,” aims to spotlight Republican candidates in competitive races, especially the Texas Senate contest where Democrat James Talarico holds a narrow polling lead. Trump, whose governing trifecta in Washington is on the line, promised to visit every swing district and state this fall, urging voters to protect border security, tax cuts, and public safety.
Poll numbers and criticism
A recent Financial Times weekend survey placed President Trump’s national approval at 32%, while the Texas Politics Project’s August poll showed a 43% approval rating in Texas. Democratic leaders, including Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, seized on the convention to criticize the GOP, calling the event a “crime show” and accusing Republicans of being “out of touch.”
Other convention highlights
Beyond Paxton, the two‑hour program featured attacks on Democratic candidates, with Trump labeling Talarico “a weird looking dude” and mocking a rumored vegan diet that the Democrat does not follow. The president also took aim at former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, reinforcing the party’s narrative of Democratic radicalism.
Trump’s policy reminders
In classic campaign fashion, Trump reminded the audience of his border‑wall achievements, praising Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. John Cornyn and former Sen. Ted Cruz for their work on the wall. He also floated a bold proposal to give every adult citizen a $5,000 dividend if Republicans control both chambers of Congress, a promise that would require substantial funding.
What’s next for Texas voters
With the midterm election calendar moving forward, the Trump‑Paxton partnership signals a concerted effort to energize the Republican base in Texas. Voters will hear more campaign stops from the president and his allies as the race tightens, and the convention’s messaging suggests the administration will continue to frame the election as a choice between Trump‑backed liberty and what they portray as Democratic overreach.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
