Longtime Republican strategist Karl Rove has brushed off recent harsh insults from former President Donald Trump, stating that he doesn't care about the criticisms. Trump attacked Rove and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Truth Social this week, blaming them for the perceived struggles of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his bid for a Senate seat.
Paxton, who has been endorsed by Trump, faces challenges in the upcoming midterm election amid reported controversies. The latest is leaked audio in which Paxton appears to blame Trump's foreign policy decisions for his lagging campaign. According to The New York Times, Paxton's Democratic opponent, James Talarico, is currently leading in the polls.
Trump's social media post accused Rove and Cornyn of "doing everything possible to make it hard for Ken Paxton" to win against Talarico, whom Trump referred to with a derogatory nickname. Rove, in response on Fox News' "The Guy Benson Show," suggested that Trump's attacks indicate the former president believes Paxton is going to lose and is "looking for somebody to blame."
Rove further questioned Trump's assertion, asking, "if I’m weak and ineffective, how could I have done anything to diminish the power of the man who won 96% of Texas counties?" He concluded by reiterating his indifference to the former president's remarks.