Republicans scrub anti-Paxton attacks from the internet after he becomes their nominee

Republicans scrub anti-Paxton attacks from the internet after he becomes their nominee

Republicans scrub anti Paxton attacks – Following Ken Paxton’s decisive win in the Texas Republican Senate primary, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has taken swift action to erase years of critical content that once portrayed him as a corrupt and dishonest figure. A detailed review by CNN’s KFile team revealed the NRSC has systematically removed numerous press releases, digital advertisements, and statements that attacked Paxton, now the GOP’s official Senate nominee. These materials, which had been circulating online since the early part of the year, were deleted in a coordinated effort to reshape public perception.

NRSC’s Allegations Against Paxton

The NRSC, which serves as the party’s official campaign arm, has targeted materials that labeled Paxton as “Crooked Ken,” a nickname that highlighted his alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds. One such statement criticized his handling of his former spouse during their divorce, while another accused his legal team of granting favorable treatment to an individual linked to child sex trafficking. These claims, which were central to the NRSC’s narrative, have been removed from digital platforms, including social media and news outlets.

“More Texans are now victims of an alleged child sex trafficker because Crooked Ken Paxton gave this dirtbag the kid-gloves treatment,” said Nick Puglia, an NRSC regional press secretary, in a now-deleted press release.

Some of the removed content also pointed to a controversial agreement Paxton’s office had with a sex trafficker, which reportedly kept the individual from serving prison time or being listed on the sex offender registry. The NRSC used these examples to argue that Paxton’s actions aligned with Democratic policies, framing him as a threat to President Donald Trump’s agenda. However, the committee’s recent efforts suggest a shift in focus, prioritizing the narrative of Paxton as a unified candidate over his past criticisms.

Targeted Removals and Strategic Messaging

Among the deleted materials were two video ads that had previously criticized Paxton for his perceived alignment with progressive causes. One ad, titled “Ken Paxton Has a Dark Secret,” accused him of being complicit in allowing a child sex trafficker to evade consequences. Another, labeled “Helping the Woke Left,” claimed he had allocated nearly $1 million to gender-affirming programs, which the NRSC equated with Democratic policies. These ads are now marked as “removed by the uploader” in Google’s ad transparency database, signaling a deliberate effort to control the narrative surrounding his candidacy.

The NRSC has also taken down a handful of ads from its YouTube channel. One such ad features a striking image of Paxton as a Ken-like doll encased in a plastic box, accompanied by a voiceover that mocks his commitment to conservative values. The transcript reads: “Introducing the all new Ken. He talks a big game about conservative values, but when it’s time to deliver he drags his feet. … Ken doesn’t stand up for conservatives, he stands in their way!” This visual metaphor was used to underscore the NRSC’s belief that Paxton had strayed from his party’s core principles.

Additionally, the committee has deleted at least eight tweets from its X account since 2025, including posts that described Paxton as “asleep at the wheel.” One of the removed tweets stated, “Instead of protecting Texans, Ken Paxton has been asleep at the wheel. He’s been using taxpayer dollars to give MILLIONS to leftist groups who: ❌Coach illegals on how to evade ICE ❌Push DEI hiring schemes ❌Offer transgender resources to kids.” A similar message, posted in October 2025, claimed that Paxton had treated public funds as if they were Monopoly money, funneling hundreds of millions to liberal organizations.

Paxton’s Legal Response and Campaign Silence

Despite the NRSC’s efforts to paint him as a collaborator with progressive causes, Paxton’s campaign has not yet issued a public response to the allegations. However, as Texas’ attorney general, Paxton recently took legal action against Harris County, alleging the county had improperly spent over $1.3 million on public money to support radical leftist groups. This move suggests a potential counterattack, though the NRSC’s removal of critical content has left the narrative largely unchallenged.

Samantha Cantrell, an NRSC regional press secretary, defended the decision to remove the attacks, stating, “A state President Trump won by nearly 14 points isn’t going to elect James Talarico — a radical leftist who thinks God is nonbinary and that Texas should be a welcome mat for illegals. He is the most dangerous flank of the far left. Texas isn’t swapping brisket for open borders.” This statement, issued after Paxton’s nomination, emphasized the NRSC’s belief that his opponent, Talarico, represented a greater ideological threat than Paxton himself.

The NRSC’s campaign to erase critical content reflects a broader trend in political messaging, where negative narratives are often removed once a candidate secures a nomination. By doing so, the committee aims to present Paxton as a consistent and unwavering advocate for Republican values. However, the abrupt removal of these materials has raised questions about the party’s commitment to transparency and the integrity of its campaign strategies.

While the NRSC has not officially commented on the decision to delete the attacks, its actions align with a pattern of selective messaging seen in recent elections. This strategy allows the party to focus on the most favorable aspects of its nominee’s platform, while downplaying or eliminating past criticisms. For Paxton, this shift may help solidify his image as a centrist figure, even as the previous attacks were used to cast doubt on his credibility.

The removal of these materials also highlights the power of digital platforms in shaping political discourse. By controlling the narrative, the NRSC can influence how voters perceive Paxton, ensuring that his campaign is framed as a unified effort to advance conservative policies. Yet, this approach has sparked debates about the role of partisan bias in modern political campaigns and the extent to which such actions can alter public opinion.