Trump jokingly calls Paxton a ‘pain in the ass’ at Texas event

Trump Mixes Praise and Barbs for Ken Paxton at Texas Campaign Event

Earthguardiansonline.com – President Donald Trump used a Texas appearance on Thursday to offer both an endorsement-style show of support and another sharp joke at the expense of Ken Paxton, the Republican attorney general seeking a US Senate seat.

Speaking in Denton, Trump highlighted Paxton’s record of standing with him during difficult moments, describing the Texas Republican as one of his most dependable allies. He then pivoted to the kind of teasing that has become a familiar part of his public comments about Paxton.

“And I have to always remember that because he could be a pain in the ass sometimes. I’ll be honest.”

The remark came after Trump said Paxton had been by his side more than almost anyone when the president faced attacks and criticism in the past. The mix of appreciation and ridicule reflects an unusual dynamic in a high-stakes Republican primary campaign: Trump has backed Paxton even while repeatedly making him the subject of public jokes.

A Senate Contest With National Attention

Paxton’s bid for the Senate has drawn broad interest because Texas remains an important state for Republican hopes of maintaining and expanding their influence in Washington. Trump chose to support Paxton despite the presence of another Republican contender viewed as a less risky political choice, placing the president’s backing at the center of the contest.

Trump has generally worked to help Paxton’s campaign, but his comments have not always followed the conventional style of a straightforward endorsement. At Republican events, he has mocked the attorney general’s appearance and manner of speaking while also complimenting his work in office.

“Some may not like the way he dresses,” Trump said, before adding: “I don’t.”

Those comments were delivered during the GOP’s midterm convention, held in Texas, Paxton’s home state. The gathering gave significant attention to Paxton and his Senate campaign, though private comments later made public suggested the event did not produce the political benefit he had hoped for.

Private Concerns Over Convention Effects

Audio published Wednesday captured Paxton speaking privately with conservative donors and lobbyists about polling after the convention. In the recording, he said the event had hurt his campaign’s standing rather than helped it.

“So, to be honest with you, the numbers – when we did that convention – it dropped our numbers,” Paxton said. “Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.”

The comments offered a candid look at the pressure surrounding the race. Public appearances featuring a president can bring major attention, energize loyal supporters and generate headlines. They can also intensify scrutiny, particularly when a campaign is already trying to manage perceptions about its position in a competitive primary.

Paxton has not publicly answered Trump’s teasing with criticism of his own. That restraint is notable because Trump’s remarks, even when unflattering, have consistently been paired with positive assessments of Paxton’s loyalty and job performance. For a candidate seeking support from Republican voters who remain closely aligned with Trump, preserving that relationship carries obvious political importance.

Trump Says He Had Not Discussed the Audio With Paxton

Earlier Thursday, Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Paxton after the private recording emerged. He said he had not. During an Oval Office event the previous afternoon, Trump had also said he was unaware of the recording when reporters raised it.

At the Denton event, Trump appeared briefly unsure whether Paxton was present before spotting him in the audience.

“Is he here? By the way – oh, there he is. Good. I didn’t even know if he’s here.”

The exchange added another moment of uncertainty to a day that had already put the relationship between the president and the Senate candidate under a brighter spotlight. Trump’s endorsement remains a significant asset for Paxton, but the leaked audio raised questions about whether the public events surrounding that support have translated into stronger numbers for the campaign.

Supporters Emphasize Loyalty to Trump

Trump later traveled to Oklahoma for another rally, where he played a video clip involving the controversy over Paxton’s private remarks. In the clip, one of Trump’s supporters was asked whether Republicans remained committed to the president in light of the audio.

“100%… Get on the Trump train.”

The response underscored the broader message Trump sought to project: that his political standing with Republican supporters remains strong despite tensions, unfavorable polling concerns and occasional friction with allies. For Paxton, the challenge is to hold onto the advantages of Trump’s endorsement while navigating the attention created by the president’s jokes and the doubts he expressed privately about the campaign’s trajectory.

Trump’s Denton appearance made clear that the alliance remains intact in public. Yet it also showed how a relationship built on mutual political benefit can still produce unpredictable moments, especially when the president’s off-the-cuff style collides with the demands of a closely watched Senate race.