Republican Senators Are Livid at Trump's Endorsement of Paxton [View all]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/us/politics/republican-senators-trump-paxton.html

https://archive.ph/nut7Y

Republican Senators Are Livid at Trump’s Endorsement of Paxton
News that President Trump had snubbed Senator John Cornyn of Texas, the four-term incumbent, was met with shock, anger and fear that the G.O.P. could lose his seat.
By Michael Gold, Megan Mineiro and Carl Hulse
May 19, 2026 Updated 5:56 p.m. ET

Republican senators reacted angrily on Tuesday to President Trump’s decision to endorse Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, in the state’s Senate primary runoff, warning that his snub of the incumbent Senator John Cornyn could risk the seat and the party’s fight to keep its majority.

Heading into their weekly G.O.P. luncheon not long after Mr. Trump posted his choice on social media, many Senate Republicans appeared stunned and livid as they learned the news, which dealt a serious blow to Mr. Cornyn, who has served for more than two decades.

“Oh boy,” said a visibly dismayed Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota, as he left the Senate chamber after hearing of Mr. Trump’s announcement.

“Well, obviously,” he added, “I support Senator Cornyn.”

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