Trump supports the senator, of all people, whom he previously sharply criticized. His own base in Texas is outraged. An analysis.
AUSTIN (AP) — President Donald Trump is preparing to back a longtime senator over a loyal ally in a high-profile Republican primary, a decision that puts him at odds with parts of the MAGA base that have thrown their weight behind the challenger.
Trump plans to support Sen. John Cornyn against his Republican rival Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general and a longtime Trump ally, according to three people familiar with the deliberations. The race goes to a runoff election in May. Trump said on Truth Social on Wednesday that he would make an endorsement soon and stressed that the non-endorsed candidate should drop out of the race.
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Paxton remained unfazed, signaling Thursday that he wanted to stay in the race — but would “consider” dropping out if Senate Republican leadership, which supports Cornyn, eliminates the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act. The law would fundamentally change voting rights and is one of Trump’s most important initiatives. However, Republican senators believe this is unlikely before the runoff election on May 26; Paxton’s supporters expect him to continue running.
Trump weighs general election chances against loyalty
Trump’s decision reflects a pragmatic consideration: Cornyn, a 23-year incumbent senator who once said Trump could not win the 2024 election, is considered a stronger candidate for the general election. Paxton, on the other hand, is a loyal Trump supporter, but his legal troubles and impeachment while in office are making GOP strategists cautious.
Prominent MAGA voices and many activists express confusion that Trump is following the advice of established GOP advisers instead of his most loyal supporters. Disappointment is growing – some are warning that a lack of enthusiasm could jeopardize Republican turnout in the midterms.
Conservative media and influencers have flooded social networks this week with posts about Cornyn’s past criticism of Trump, questioned Trump’s stance on “cleaning out” Washington and said they would support Paxton regardless of Trump’s recommendation. A Truth Social post by Trump from 2023 circulated in which he compared Cornyn to Mitt Romney and said that Cornyn was “always quick to surrender to the Democrats.”
Division of the base – party interests or loyalty?
“It’s a huge imposition on the president, even though we love him, to say, ‘You shouldn’t vote for that conservative who you like for the same reasons you like me,'” said Mark Davis, a conservative radio host in Texas. “Many won’t do that. This tension is unnecessary.”
According to confidants, Trump has emphasized the disadvantages of both candidates: For Paxton, he sees considerable stress from the public divorce from his senator’s wife and the impeachment with acquittal in 2023 for abuse of office in favor of a real estate investor. Still, Paxton has defended some of Trump’s key initiatives, such as challenging the 2020 election results.
Trump privately admits that Cornyn could have enthusiasm problems in the right-wing camp in the fall. Nevertheless, his closest advisors have so far steered him towards Cornyn.
Cornyn — backed by the Senate Leadership Fund and NRC — spent about $70 million on ads and took 42 percent of the vote Tuesday. Paxton, who was ahead in the polls, came in second with 41 percent; Less than five million dollars were invested for him. Paxton is supported by the MAGA-affiliated organization Turning Point USA.
Trump endorsements not always decisive
Although Trump’s candidates usually win, there are exceptions: In North Carolina, Trump’s favorite is behind a challenger with a lot of conservative support after the primary; the race is still open.
After Trump’s Cornyn plans became public, MAGA activists bombarded social media with headlines about Cornyn’s opposition to Trump’s efforts to overturn the election results or Cornyn’s 2023 statement that it was time for the party to move on from Trump.
“That’s why the base is outraged,” said Stephen K. Bannon, a former Trump adviser who supports Paxton. “They hate Cornyn. Not because he’s a ‘RINO,’ not because of his record. They don’t like him for that, but they hate him because he hates Trump.”
Since Trump won the Republican nomination in 2024, Cornyn – whom Trump once referred to as “RINO” – has remained close to the president and hired Trump’s top adviser Chris LaCivita to his campaign.
Trump told the Washington Post last month why he hadn’t recommended Cornyn like other senators: “He’s a good man, but I also like all three” – meaning Cornyn, Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt, who is no longer in the runoff. “They all supported me. They’re all good. And you should vote for one – let’s see what happens.”
The White House declined to comment.
Long-term impacts and grassroots responses
As for Paxton’s offer to consider getting out depending on whether legislation is passed, Cornyn said: “That’s a conversation he should have with the president.”
The uproar is unlikely to hurt Trump in the long term. Even though polls show that Trump’s approval among Republican voters has recently fallen somewhat, MAGA voters continued to give the president top marks – according to a recent Fox News poll, 98 percent approval.
“More than anger, it creates indifference,” said Raheem Kassam, head of National Pulse and a MAGA-affiliated adviser, amid frustration with Trump and Cornyn.
Matthew Boyle, Washington director of the Trump-affiliated Breitbart, who has criticized Cornyn, points out that Trump enthusiastically supports Senator Lindsey Graham’s re-election – even though Graham is very unpopular with the MAGA base. Trump supporters “didn’t hold it against him.”
Conservatives in Texas question whether Trump’s recommendation will be as effective this time.
Davis, the radio host, told The Washington Post that he repeatedly asked listeners who supported Paxton and would be willing to vote for Cornyn in Trump’s endorsement: “I can’t find any. Not one.” The message from many Trump supporters in Texas is: “We thank you, Mr. President, but this time we will decide for ourselves.”
Theodoric Meyer contributed to this report.
Natalie Allison reports for the Washington Post from the White House. She previously worked on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, the MAGA movement and the Republican Party.
This article was first published in English on March 11, 2026 at the “Washingtonpost.com” – as part of a cooperation, it is now also available in translation to readers of the IPPEN.MEDIA portals.
