Rove Dismisses Trump’s Blame-Casting as Texas Senate Race Intensifies

Key points

• Karl Rove responded to Trump’s Truth Social attacks on 'The Guy Benson Show,' stating, 'I really don’t care,' and suggested Trump is seeking someone to blame for potential losses.
• Trump accused Rove and Senator John Cornyn of actively hindering Ken Paxton’s bid for the U.S. Senate, calling them 'weak and ineffective political hacks.'
• Paxton, the Trump-endorsed Republican nominee, is trailing Democrat James Talarico in polls by low-to-mid single digits in Texas, a state that has not elected a Democratic senator since 1988.
• Recent leaked audio shows Paxton blaming Trump’s unpopular war in Iran for his campaign’s struggles, adding to a series of controversies affecting the race.
• Republican spending in the Texas Senate race has exceeded $370 million, outspending Democrats by nearly $235 million, yet the polling gap persists.

Background

This conflict follows earlier reports from October 15-16, 2026, where Trump preemptively assigned blame to Cornyn and Rove for Paxton’s poor polling. Previous coverage noted that despite heavy financial injections from figures like Elon Musk, the Republican candidate remains behind in a traditionally red state. The dispute underscores ongoing internal GOP divisions regarding loyalty to the president and the viability of Paxton’s candidacy.

How outlets are covering it

HuffPost emphasizes Rove’s dismissive attitude and his argument that Trump is looking for a scapegoat. CNBC highlights the financial scale of the race, noting that GOP spending has eclipsed Democratic efforts by over $200 million, and frames Trump’s comments as preemptive blame-casting. CNBC also notes that Cornyn’s office and Rove did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the initial accusations. While all sources agree on the core conflict, HuffPost focuses on Rove’s public rebuttal, whereas CNBC contextualizes the dispute within the broader financial and polling landscape of the 2026 midterms.

Why it matters

The Texas Senate race is a critical battleground for the 2026 midterms, with the potential to shift Senate control. The public feud between Trump and senior GOP figures like Rove and Cornyn signals deep internal party divisions. If Paxton loses in a state that has voted for Trump by 14 points in 2024, it could signal a significant shift in Republican support and impact the party’s broader midterm strategy.

What to watch

Early voting for the 2026 midterms begins on October 19. Polls will continue to monitor the gap between Paxton and Talarico. The outcome of this race will likely determine whether the blame-casting by Trump and the dismissive responses from Rove and Cornyn have any tangible impact on voter behavior in Texas.