Ken Paxton Caught on Audio Saying Trump's Convention Hurt His Campaign
Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton was recorded at a private fundraiser admitting that President Trump's midterm convention in Dallas damaged GOP polling numbers and his own campaign. The audio, obtained by The New York Times, shows Paxton telling donors that "everybody's numbers dropped" after the event. Trump subsequently campaigned in Texas and criticized Paxton publicly.
Left-leaning outlets frame this as exposing GOP dysfunction and hypocrisy, with outlets like The New Republic highlighting how Trump's convention backfired and noting Paxton's awkward position as a Trump loyalist forced to admit the endorsed event hurt him. Seth Meyers and late-night hosts mocked Trump's inflated convention attendance claims.
The Hill and ABC News report the basic facts neutrally: Paxton privately said his polling dropped after the convention, and the leaked audio created complications for the GOP candidate in a tight race.
The New York Post acknowledges Paxton's admission that "everybody's numbers dropped" after the GOP midterm convention without extensive commentary on the incident.