Donald Trump shocked the political world today when he decided to endorse MAGA firebrand Ken Paxton instead of incumbent Senator John Cornyn, who has represented Texas in the Senate since 2002.
The move immediately sparked frustration and confusion among Senate Republicans, many of whom had spent months and enormous amounts of money trying to protect Cornyn from a difficult primary challenge.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune reacted cautiously when asked about Trump’s decision, telling reporters only that “it’s his decision.” But according to Punchbowl News reporter Andrew Desiderio, Thune appeared visibly angry as he entered a Republican lunch meeting.
“He was stone-faced as he walked into lunch,” Desiderio reported. “Thune also threw up his left hand as he said it. (If you know John Thune, that counts as pretty deep anger.)”
Several Republican senators sounded stunned by the endorsement.
“I’m speechless,” Senator Ron Johnson told CNN’s Manu Raju after being asked about Trump backing Paxton. After a lengthy pause, Johnson added that he really had “no comment.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski reportedly told The Hill that she was “supremely disappointed” by Trump’s endorsement and admitted, “I don’t understand it.”
Maine Senator Susan Collins echoed the criticism, saying she also did not understand why Trump would support Paxton, whom she described as “ethically challenged.”
The backlash reflects growing anxiety among Senate Republicans about what Paxton could mean for the party in a statewide race.
Republicans reportedly spent roughly $100 million boosting Cornyn, only to now face the possibility that Trump’s endorsement could sink the incumbent anyway and hand Democrats a major opening in Texas.
Democratic Senator James Talarico is already polling competitively, and Democrats are expected to heavily target Paxton’s long history of scandals and controversies if he becomes the nominee.
Among the most politically damaging issues hanging over Paxton is criticism surrounding a plea agreement involving a serial child rapist tied to Paxton’s political orbit, who ultimately received a six-month prison sentence.
Trump’s endorsement may also create new problems for him inside the Senate itself.
Cornyn now has little political incentive to support Trump’s legislative priorities moving forward, including battles over funding tied to Trump’s ballroom project and other White House initiatives.
What was supposed to be a routine endorsement has instead created another major fracture inside the Republican Party at a moment when Senate Republicans are already struggling to stay unified.
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