Make New York Post a Preferred Source President Trump pumped up Ken Paxton’s Senate bid in Texas on Thursday as he kicked off a red state tour to rally his MAGA base for Republican candidates ahead of November’s election.
Describing his chosen Senate candidate as a “pain in the a–,” Trump, nevertheless, pushed for his loyal supporters to vote for Paxton, who’s facing a tough challenge from Democrat James Talarico.
“We need Ken so badly, that’s why I am here,” he said bluntly. Texas is a critical state for Republicans to hold if they want to keep control of the Senate.
The Texas stop is one of many the president is making in red states that gave him big numbers in the last presidential election — and where many GOP contenders are struggling to replicate Trump’s victory.
Trump touted his trade and economic agenda during a visit to Peterbilt Motors, where the White House says Trump-era truck tariffs helped spur job growth.
From his Dallas stop, he headed to Oklahoma to boost Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei. Next week he’ll be in upstate New York to campaign for GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman. The president’s also mulling a mid-October trip to Alaska to help out embattled Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).
Trump told reporters that Republicans needed to do better in touting their accomplishments if they wanted to win in the midterm election.
“Somebody saying we’ve done a bad public relations job, but a great management job,” he said. “We have to get the message to get the best numbers of any president.”
In Texas, which Trump carried by almost 15 points in the 2024 contest, the president tried to transfer some of his popularity to Paxton, who is trailing Talarico in the polls and facing questions about a legal investigation. He endorsed Paxton over incumbent GOP Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary, which ensured Paxton the nomination.
Trump described the state attorney general as “one of the most loyal people.”
“Ken Paxton was at my side more than anybody, and I have to always remember that because he could be a pain in the a– sometimes to be honest,” Trump told the crowd at Peterbilt Motors facility outside of Dallas.
Calling him a “special man,” Trump thanked Paxton for being there but didn’t call him up to speak. It’s unclear if there’s tension between the two men after a report that Paxton privately complained that GOP candidates saw their poll numbers drop after the president’s midterm convention in Dallas.
As part of his campaign tour, Trump is touting his administration’s jobs and manufacturing record to push back against voter concerns about the economy.
“This year the United States has added 60,000 new manufacturing jobs, and heavy truck manufacturing is almost up by about, what, 31 percent,” he noted.
Looking around the factory for his Senate candidate, he spied Paxton in the crowd and noted: “I didn’t even know he was here.”
Still, he went on to say of Paxton: “We got to get this guy elected.”
And he brought out some of his favorite criticisms of Talarico, including repeating the false allegation the Democratic candidate is a vegan.
“You got a freako. You got a freako that’s running against him,” Trump said. “He doesn’t eat meat. He’s a vegan.”
“To put a guy, a freak like that in there would be such a horror to your state, and such a horror to the country,” he added. “We need the votes and I’m here for that, and I think we’re going to win.”
Trump toured the factory ahead of his remarks and brought a special guest.
Dennis Rodman joined the tour, as Trump prepares to renew diplomacy with Rodman’s pal, the North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un. Trump’s second stop of the night, Durant, Oklahoma, is the NBA star’s college town.
The five-time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls wore sparkly black pants, Crocs and a T-shirt with a picture of himself.
Trump pointed out Rodman at the rally, calling him “the greatest rebounder.”
“When I wanted to get to know Kim Jong Un, when we’re having a problem, Kim Jong Un and I get along, but the one who knew him best was Dennis Rodman,” Trump said.
But the president did vow to go all-in for the midterm election. “My heart’s in it. I would be home right now if it wasn’t.”
“My heart is in it like never before.”
