Jennings Tells Paxton to Stop Criticizing Trump as GOP Spends Millions to Save Texas Seat

Key points

• Scott Jennings told Paxton to keep criticism of Trump private, noting the candidate needs the president's voters and resources to win.
• Leaked audio shows Paxton telling donors that the Dallas convention negatively impacted his polling numbers, a claim Trump denied hearing.
• The Republican Party is spending approximately $300 million in Texas to support Paxton, who trails Democrat James Talarico in several polls.
• Trump joked about Paxton being a 'pain in the ass' at a Denton, Texas event, while praising his loyalty despite the criticism.
• Former Bush adviser Karl Rove and Senator Thom Tillis called the choice of Paxton over John Cornyn a 'colossal mistake' for the party.

Background

This dispute follows the September 2026 Dallas convention, where Trump pledged support for Paxton but mocked his appearance. Recent archive coverage notes that Jennings, a rumored White House press secretary candidate, has faced scrutiny for his alignment with Trump. The current conflict highlights a broader pattern of internal GOP friction, where national resources are being deployed to rescue a candidate who previously faced corruption investigations and a contested divorce, while the party risks losing its first Texas Senate seat since 1994.

How outlets are covering it

HuffPost frames the situation as a blunt rebuke from Jennings, emphasizing the financial disparity between the candidates and the necessity of Paxton's gratitude. CNN highlights the personal dynamic, noting Trump's public mockery of Paxton as a 'pain in the ass' despite his endorsement, and points out that Trump claimed not to have heard the leaked audio. El País provides a broader strategic analysis, citing Karl Rove and Senator Tillis, who argue that nominating Paxton instead of incumbent John Cornyn was a major error that has forced the party to spend hundreds of millions to prevent a historic loss. While HuffPost focuses on the immediate interpersonal conflict, El País contextualizes it within the party's declining approval ratings and the risk of losing control of the Senate.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a bellwether for the 2026 midterms, with the Republican Party investing unprecedented resources to prevent a loss in a traditionally safe state. The public clash between a top party strategist and a presidential candidate signals deep fractures within the GOP base and raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump's campaign strategy. If Paxton loses, it would mark the first time a Democrat has won a Texas Senate seat since 1993, potentially shifting the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and validating criticisms that the party's choice of candidate was a strategic blunder.

What to watch

Trump is scheduled to embark on a 32-day campaign tour, with Texas as a key stop, to bolster Republican candidates. The next few weeks will determine whether national spending and presidential appearances can close the polling gap between Paxton and Talarico. Analysts will watch for any further public disagreements between the party leadership and its candidates, as well as the impact of Trump's low approval ratings on the midterm outlook.