President Donald Trump has voiced reservations about the appearance and public speaking abilities of Ken Paxton, the Texas Attorney General he previously endorsed for U.S. Senate. During a White House dinner, Trump commented on Paxton's presentation while reiterating his support.
"So Ken Paxton, you might not like the way he dresses, and I say this, it’s so insulting to him, but I might as well say it," Trump stated. "You might not like the way he looks. You might not love his television interviews. But he was the best attorney general in the country, perhaps."
Trump went on to say, "He was one of the best in the entire country, and that speaks a lot louder than the suit he’s wearing that doesn’t look so great. Or than anything, frankly."
This endorsement came as a surprise to many Republican members in the spring, as Trump backed Paxton over incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Paxton has faced numerous controversies throughout his career, including criminal charges and allegations of infidelity. In 2023, he was impeached, becoming the first Texas statewide elected official in over a century to face such proceedings.
Despite the controversies, Trump's endorsement was credited with helping Paxton secure victory over Cornyn in the Texas GOP Senate primary runoff in May. However, early polls suggest that Paxton's Democratic challenger, James Talarico, holds a slight lead in congressional districts that Trump won handily in 2024. Some Democrats and Republicans believe Trump's backing of Paxton may have inadvertently aided his Democratic opponent.
Concerns about Paxton's campaign presence have also been voiced by some media figures. Last week, Fox News host Laura Ingraham noted Paxton's limited public appearances since winning the primary, suggesting he needed to increase his campaign activity.