Trump rallies for Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton as race tightens
Donald Trump traveled to Denton, Texas, to rally support for Ken Paxton in his bid for a U.S. Senate seat against James Talarico. Republicans have contributed more than $300 million to Paxton’s campaign, including $131 million from a Texas PAC linked to Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Democrats are counting on voter frustration over the economy and high fuel prices to try to flip the seat, which has not been held by a Democrat since 1988. Both campaigns are gearing up for further joint appearances as the contest remains closely watched.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The outcome could affect the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTAll camps report Paxton’s leaked comments that the convention hurt his numbers, but left-leaning coverage stresses the damage to Trump’s influence and Paxton’s poor polling, centrist coverage centers on Trump’s colorful endorsement and the awkwardness of the leak, while right-leaning coverage highlights Trump’s backing and dismisses Paxton’s remarks as a blunder.
LEFT
Left-leaning coverage portrays the leaked Paxton comments as a blow to Trump’s influence, emphasizing the candidate’s declining poll numbers and framing the convention as a liability for Republicans.
CENTER
Center coverage frames the episode around Trump’s colorful endorsement of Paxton, noting his “pain in the ass” joke and the awkwardness caused by the leaked audio, but largely presenting Trump’s support as a rallying point.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the story as Trump backing Paxton and dismissing the leaked comments as a blunder by Paxton, emphasizing loyalty praise and labeling the remarks an “own goal” or “manipulated nonsense.”
The left emphasises
- Paxton says the convention dropped his numbers
- Paxton is the least popular GOP Senate nominee in a century
- Trump’s influence is portrayed as damaging to Republicans
The right emphasises
- Trump backs Paxton in a tight race
- Paxton’s leaked comments are called a spectacular own goal
- Trump praises Paxton’s loyalty despite the gaffe
How this story developed
- Sep 20 Person shot by ICE agents in North Austin hospitalized, officials demand investigation
- Sep 23 The Barbara Jordan Center survey of 1,800 likely voters conducted Sept. 15-19 finds Talarico far ahead of Paxton with young voters, a swing of 17 points since July. Overall, the race is essentially tied, with Talarico at 47% and Paxton at 46%. A Talarico victory would mark the first statewide Democratic win in Texas in more than three decades. Paxton’s recent student-chapter outreach has not halted the shift toward his opponent among Gen Z.
- Sep 27 A federal judge scheduled a personal appearance for the man on September 30 and issued a temporary order halting his deportation.
- Sep 29 Jasmine Crockett announced she will not endorse James Talarico.
- Sep 30 Ken Paxton told a small fundraiser that the GOP midterm convention in Dallas failed to boost his poll numbers and may have actually lowered them.
- Oct 1 A federal indictment charging Garces Perez with assault was filed.
- Oct 2 Trump visited Denton to publicly back Paxton.
Related stories
12 in this thread