Trump Leaves GOP Scratching Their Heads
President Donald Trump is keeping everyone guessing—and Republicans on edge—as the high-stakes Texas Senate primary between Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton takes center stage.
With the future of the GOP Senate majority hanging in the balance, Trump’s endorsement could be the tipping point.
💥 Trump Holds the Power Card
On Wednesday, President Trump met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and officials from the Senate Leadership Fund—key allies of Cornyn—to discuss the 2026 Senate battlegrounds. One topic dominated the conversation: Texas.
Polls show Paxton leading Cornyn, but a Trump endorsement could instantly flip the race.
🎯 Why It Matters to Conservative Voters
For grassroots Republicans—especially those age 50 and up—Trump’s endorsement isn’t just important. It’s everything. His influence with the conservative base remains unmatched, especially among voters tired of RINOs and eager to support true America First leaders.
🔔 Drama Hits the Paxton Campaign
Just one day after the Trump meeting, bombshell news dropped: Paxton’s wife, State Sen. Angela Paxton, filed for divorce—citing “biblical grounds.” This follows serious allegations of corruption and infidelity during Paxton’s 2023 impeachment trial.
Joanna Rodriguez of the NRSC didn’t hold back: “What Ken Paxton has put his family through is repulsive. We stand with Angela and pray for her strength.”
Meanwhile, Trump ally Rep. Wesley Hunt, who joined Trump and Cornyn on a Texas trip Friday, is being floated as a potential candidate if the race further deteriorates.
📊 Paxton Still Leads—For Now
Paxton leads in multiple polls. A recent GOP-backed survey showed him ahead of Cornyn by 22 points. Another Texas Southern University poll had him up by 9. But Cornyn’s team is fighting back, dismissing some of the numbers as “silly season.”
Yet even internal data from Cornyn’s own allies suggests he’s got ground to make up—and quickly.
💸 The Money War: Cornyn’s Fundraising Muscle
Cornyn may be trailing in polls, but he’s dominating on the money front. Over his career, Cornyn has raised more than $415 million. In 2024 alone, he’s already raised nearly $33 million to support the GOP Senate majority. His allied PAC brought in another $10.9 million this quarter.
Paxton isn’t far behind. His campaign reported raising $2.9 million between April and June—proving his appeal to the conservative grassroots remains strong.
📣 Will Trump Make the Call?
Conservative insiders say Trump is more likely to be swayed by polling momentum than by financial numbers. But some argue the longer Trump waits, the less impact his endorsement will have.
“If he’s going to make a move, now is the time,” said Cornyn’s former campaign manager, Brendan Steinhauser. “It could swing millions of votes.”
🔥 Could Paxton Cost Republicans the Senate?
Despite Paxton’s primary strength, general election matchups show warning signs. Polls indicate Cornyn outperforms Paxton in head-to-head races against Democrat Colin Allred. Some surveys even show Paxton losing.
That’s sparking concern among party leaders that nominating Paxton could hand Democrats a winnable seat—and drain precious GOP resources in the process.
🧠 Trump’s Endorsement Still Kingmaker—But Not a Miracle Cure
Some polls show Cornyn would only gain a few points even with Trump’s backing. One internal survey had him gaining just one point against Paxton with Trump’s endorsement.
In a separate scenario, Paxton attacked Cornyn over past comments on gun control and Trump himself. Even with Trump’s backing, Cornyn’s support cratered.
A Republican strategist summed it up: “Trump’s endorsement is powerful—but Cornyn is already defined. The challenge now is to convince Trump he’s still a viable fighter.”
🗳️ Final Word: Everything Rides on Trump
With the Texas GOP primary heating up, conservatives are watching one man—Donald Trump. His decision could determine whether the Senate stays red, or if Democrats gain a foothold deep in the heart of Texas.
Stay tuned. This one’s just getting started.
