President Trump jokingly called Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton a "pain in the ass" while endorsing him for the U.S. Senate at a Peterbilt factory event in Denton, praising Paxton's loyalty during past legal and political battles. The visit highlighted a competitive race against Democrat James Talarico, with recent polls showing small but varying leads. Trump also theatrically dumped a glass of water to criticize Biden-era emissions rules and later repeated his support at an Oklahoma rally, where Paxton publicly thanked him.
Trump Calls Paxton a "Pain in the Ass" While Endorsing Him in Tight Texas Senate Race
President Donald Trump dumps a glass of water as he speaks at Peterbilt Motors on Thursday in Denton, Texas.
President Donald Trump on Thursday jokingly called Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton a "pain in the ass" as he publicly endorsed Paxton in the closely watched race for the U.S. Senate. Speaking at a Peterbilt Motors manufacturing event in Denton, Trump praised Paxton's loyalty through years of legal and political turmoil and urged voters to keep the seat in Republican hands.
Endorsement and Context
"Ken Paxton was at my side more than anybody, and I have to always remember that because he could be a pain in the ass sometimes. I'll be honest," Trump said, drawing laughter from the crowd. Moments later he added, "the greatest attorney general in the United States of America."
The remark echoed Paxton's public support for Trump after the 2020 election, including the Texas attorney general's unsuccessful Supreme Court lawsuit seeking to contest results in several battleground states. Trump framed his visit as part of a larger push to protect Republican incumbents and highlight manufacturing and energy issues.
Polls and the Race
Paxton, the Republican nominee, is facing Democratic state representative James Talarico in a race that has drawn national attention as Democrats see an opening in traditionally red Texas. A PollsMax average published Thursday showed Talarico leading Paxton by about 3.2 percentage points. Individual surveys vary: a Marist University poll placed Talarico up by 6 points among registered voters, while a Fox News poll from late September found Talarico up 2 points among likely voters.
Fundraiser Recording and Campaign Reaction
The visit and quip came after reporting that Paxton privately told donors the Trump-staged Dallas midterm convention "dropped our numbers." The report was based on a recording obtained by The New York Times. Paxton's campaign adviser dismissed the reporting as "manipulated nonsense," pointing to internal polling that the campaign says shows different results.
Theatrics and Policy Jabs
In a theatrical moment at the factory, Trump poured a small glass of water onto the stage to mock Biden-era truck emissions rules, arguing the regulations imposed high costs for minimal fuel savings.
The gesture drew praise from supporters and derision from critics on social media. Trump later drove to an RNC rally in Durant, Oklahoma, where he reiterated his support for Paxton and called him "a little controversial." Paxton posted a public thank-you on X, saying it was an honor to have the president's support.
Why It Matters
The endorsement underscores the national stakes of the Texas Senate contest: Republicans are trying to hold a seat in a state that has shown signs of becoming more competitive. Voter preferences differ across polls depending on methodology and sample (registered vs. likely voters), leaving the race within reach for both parties heading into the midterms.
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