Trump Avoids Question on Leaked Audio of Paxton Criticizing Midterm Convention Impact
Trump dodges question on leaked audio of Paxton criticizing GOP convention's effect on poll numbers. New details emerge as Texas Senate race intensifies.
POLICY WIRE — Dallas, United States — President Donald Trump sidestepped a question Wednesday regarding leaked audio of Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton criticizing the recent GOP midterm convention in Dallas.
The audio, obtained from a private event with lobbyists and donors in South Texas, reportedly captured Paxton stating that “everybody’s numbers are down” following the two-day gathering. Trump claimed he had not heard of the remarks, instead praising the event as “amazing” and highlighting its viewership and benefits for candidates.
In the recording, Paxton was asked, “Do you feel like he’s a little bit of a drag?” though it is unclear who the comment referred to. He responded that the convention had negatively impacted polling numbers for all candidates involved. A Paxton spokesperson dismissed the claims as manipulated nonsense, citing an internal poll showing a three-point lead over Democratic opponent James Talarico.
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Trump is set to visit Denton, Texas, on Thursday, though it remains uncertain if Paxton will attend. The trip comes amid forecasts of heavy rain and potential flooding in the region. Earlier this month, Trump headlined a two-night midterm convention in Dallas aimed at boosting support for GOP candidates ahead of a challenging election cycle.
Despite being a long-time ally, Trump has faced internal party tensions over his late endorsement of Paxton, who defeated incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a runoff. At the convention, Trump acknowledged some of Paxton’s shortcomings but ultimately praised him as the greatest attorney general in America.
With no Democrat elected statewide in Texas since 1994, the race remains closely watched. Recent polls show Paxton trailing Talarico, while the Texas Democratic Party condemned Paxton’s comments as “embarrassing to the president.”
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
