Trump Blames Cornyn and Rove if Ken Paxton Loses Texas Senate Race

Former President Donald Trump has publicly faulted incumbent Senator John Cornyn and political strategist Karl Rove for potentially costing Ken Paxton the Texas Senate seat in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Trump’s comments came as the race tightens between Paxton, the state’s attorney general and Republican nominee, and Democratic challenger James Talarico.

Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Thursday to express his frustration. He wrote that if Paxton loses, the blame should be placed on what he described as "WEAK and INEFFECTIVE Political Hacks like John Cornyn and Karl Rove," accusing them of undermining his preferred candidate. Trump cited a history of opposition from both figures throughout his political career as a key reason for their alleged interference.

Paxton won the Republican primary by defeating Cornyn, a four-term incumbent senator, with Trump’s endorsement playing a decisive role. The endorsement was seen as a controversial move given Paxton’s history of legal and ethical controversies, which has alienated some members of the Republican establishment. Cornyn was widely viewed by Trump as disloyal, prompting the president to back Paxton despite the risks.

The Texas Senate race has drawn national attention as one of the most competitive contests of the 2026 midterm cycle. Traditionally a reliably Republican state, Texas has not elected a Democrat to the U.S. Senate since 1988. In the 2024 presidential election, Trump won Texas by a margin of nearly 14 percentage points over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. However, recent polling suggests Talarico is holding a narrow lead over Paxton, making the race unexpectedly close.

Democratic state representative James Talarico has captured support in key areas, challenging the Republican dominance in Texas politics. His campaign has focused on energizing voters in urban and suburban districts that have shown shifting political attitudes in recent years. The contest has become one of the most expensive Senate races in the nation, with Republican groups spending more than $370 million, outpacing Democratic expenditures by nearly $235 million, according to AdImpact data.

Trump’s criticism of Karl Rove has been ongoing. Rove, a former senior advisor to President George W. Bush, has frequently clashed with Trump and his allies. The former president has called Rove a "loser" and criticized Fox News for featuring him. Trump’s September 14 post on Truth Social accused Rove of damaging the Republican Party by consistently taking positions Trump disagrees with.

Adding to the political drama, Rove published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal shortly after, revealing that he plans to support a Democratic candidate in a different Texas race. This endorsement marked only the second time he has voted for a Democrat in his lifetime, signaling deep divisions within the Republican ranks.

The Texas Senate race serves as a critical battleground for control of the U.S. Senate. Both parties are investing heavily, recognizing the stakes involved. Republicans aim to maintain their hold on the seat to prevent Democrats from gaining a Senate majority, while Democrats see an opening to flip a traditionally red state seat.

As Election Day approaches, the spotlight remains on Paxton and Talarico. Trump’s public assignment of blame to Cornyn and Rove reflects the internal conflicts within the Republican Party and highlights the challenges facing Paxton’s campaign amid a shifting political landscape in Texas.