texas

Panicking advisor warns Trump to 'stay out' of Texas

Long-term Trump advisor Steve Bannon is worried that President Donald Trump’s trip to Corpus Christi, Texas will bungle the Republican Senate primary between incumbent John Cornyn, state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt.

Politico reports that Bannon’s big fear is that Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign team’s involvement with Cornyn’s reelection is aggravating the rift between the pro-Paxton MAGA faction and the rest of Republican voters.

“My belief is the Trump team should have stayed out of this race, absolutely,” Bannon told POLITICO from the set of his temporary “War Room” podcast.

Critics say the 2026 election year is on delicate ground with Republicans due to Trump’s rank unpopularity with centrist and independent voters. Trump’s shadow has already impacted numerous off-year elections in 2025, giving Democrats an overwhelmingly good year. SO, Bannon and other Republicans feel the GOP needs to get its most electable champions through midterms to face their Democratic opponents.

Bannon is a fan of Paxton, despite the baggage Paxton brings to the primary. But Politico reports Trump’s lieutenants are all over the place with other primary players in Texas.

“Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s top pollster, is working for Cornyn’s campaign, and Chris LaCivita, one of Trump’s top campaign hands, works as a senior adviser for the pro-Cornyn super PAC Texans for a Conservative Majority,” said Politico. “Steve Bannon, the longtime MAGA torchbearer, has taken issue with Fabrizio and LaCivita’s involvement.”

“The Paxton situation is critical, because he has been the MAGA guy since Day One,” Bannon said. Paxton, he added, is more than just a candidate in a contested GOP primary. “He is a symbol of the heart of the grassroots MAGA movement.”

A White House official told POLITICO “the president is neutral until he’s not,” and added that “John Cornyn votes with the President.”

Bannon, himself, is becoming a lightning rod for Democratic and Independent critics, as the Justice Department’s steady release of documents has revealed deep connections and correspondence between Epstein and Bannon.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

Conservative slams Texas' MAGA Senate candidate as 'serial adulterer of ill repute'

Conservative commentator Erick Erickson blasted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a vociferous supporter of President Donald Trump now running for the U.S. Senate, for being a "serial adulterer of ill repute.”

Writing for his Substack, Erickson pointed out that Paxton has been accused by his ex-wife of repeatedly cheating on her, making him a “serial adulterer.” Erickson added that Paxton has been impeached twice by the Texas legislature for “bribery, abuse of office and other crimes,” and has even been investigated by the federal government.

"In truth, Paxton might win, particularly if the Democrats nominate Jasmine Crockett,” Erickson argued. “But the amount of resources Republicans will have to spend on getting Paxton across the finish line will divert critical money from Georgia to beat [Jon] Ossoff, Maine to help Susan Collins, Michigan to help Mike Rogers and North Carolina to stop Roy Cooper, among others."

Erickson also made a strategic argument against Erickson based on his previous electoral performances.

"Past performance is the best indicator of future performance and Paxton having underperformed in a good year for the GOP suggests bad things this year, if Texas Republicans decide to commit suicide,” Erickson wrote. “A lot of money will have to be spent on Paxton that will cost the GOP other opportunities.”

The pundit concluded by urging Texas voters to retain their incumbent senator.

"Texas Republicans could, of course, do the right thing and send John Cornyn back to the Senate, thereby freeing up resources nationally for the GOP to protect their Senate majority,” Erickson argued.

Despite his conservative bona fides, Erickson is a constant critic of Trump and Trump supporters. Earlier this month he accused many of the Republicans who say they want to hold Epstein accountable of performing a “grift” on their own voters. Last month Erickson told CNN’s Erin Burnett that the shootings of protesters in Minneapolis had "blown up in [Republicans’] faces,” and that same month he pointed out on his Substack that Trump’s foreign policies have estranged American conservatives from the rest of the world.

"In both the first Trump Administration and now, [Trump’s isolationist advisers] have worked to poison the American relationship with the Europeans,” Erickson argued, concluding “good luck come November if this persists.”

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

GOP primary voters press MAGA candidate on purchase of Epstein property

One Republican candidate running for statewide office in Texas is quickly drawing the ire of the MAGA wing of the GOP after he was found to have bought a sprawling multimillion-dollar ranch previously owned by convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The Daily Beast reported Monday that Donald Huffines — who is running in the Republican primary for Texas comptroller — has not yet acknowledged previous reporting that he used a limited liability company to buy Epstein's notorious Zorro Ranch in 2023. While Huffines has posted multiple times to his official social media accounts since reports emerged that he was the mystery buyer, multiple self-described conservatives and Republicans have repeatedly commented on his posts demanding he explain the purchase of the property where it is alleged several bodies may be buried.

"Was gonna vote for you, but after the Zorro ranch revelation I will absolutely not vote for you," wrote conservative Texas-based X user Russ Scown. "At this point it’s probably too late for you to do the right thing and let investigators in. You tanked your reputation."

"How can you put Texans first when you won’t even answer our question about Zorror’s[sic] Ranch? That only makes seem untrustworthy and unworthy of our vote," wrote another X user whose bio includes the phrase "America first."

"Your actions have consequences and you lost my vote," one Houston-based X user wrote in response to one of Huffines' posts. "Do the right thing and open your Epstein ranch up to cadaver dogs and radar!"

"You are knee-deep in Epstein's cover-up! You have lost TEXANS VOTE," read another response from a self-described MAGA activist in Texas.

According to the Guardian, the ranch was valued at more than $21.1 million in tax year 2023. However, Huffines disputed that assessment due to the property's "notoriety." The value of the ranch was later reduced to $13.4 million.

Huffines is currently the front-runner in the GOP primary for Texas comptroller, and has been endorsed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Huffines is running as a hardline MAGA conservative who wants to "DOGE Texas," in reference to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk's drastic cuts to federal agencies in early 2025.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

Republicans are 'very concerned about Texas' turning blue: GOP senator

While Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives have a razor-thin with just a four-seat advantage, their six-seat advantage in the U.S. Senate is seen as more likely to hold in November. However, that could change if the GOP loses the traditional Republican stronghold of Texas.

Semafor reported Wednesday that the contentious Republican U.S. Senate primary in Texas is making some Republican senators nervous. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) – who is running for a fifth term — is hoping to fend off challenges from both Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas). Cornyn and Paxton recently exchanged barbs on social media, with Cornyn's campaign pointing out that Paxton has been accused of infidelity following the collapse of his 38-year marriage to Texas Republican state senator Angela Paxton.

The GOP primary in the Lone Star State could get expensive. The New York Times reported that Cornyn has been bringing in tens of millions of dollars from across the country — meaning Republican donors may be tapped out early as the GOP braces for costly fights elsewhere in November including Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina and elsewhere. The top two vote-getters on March 3 will advance to a primary runoff election on May 26, and the three Republicans are accumulating significant sums of money to compete in both rounds.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told Semafor he was worried about the "business argument" of an expensive Republican primary race in Texas, saying: "You know, if we’re spending $100 or $200 million in Texas in the general election, that’s $100 to $200 million we can’t be spending in other places in races we have a chance to win."

Thune is encouraging President Donald Trump to throw his weight behind Cornyn, and said it would be "enormously helpful" for keeping Texas' Senate seat in Republican hands. Thune added that while he made the case to Trump, "ultimately, the decision is up to him."

The contentious Texas Republican Senate primary is particularly worrisome to Republicans in the wake of Democrat Taylor Rehmet's upset victory in a deep-red Texas state senate district last weekend. Rehmet prevailed over Trump-endorsed Leigh Wambsganss, who also out-raised Rehmet in the special election. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who is the #4 Senate Republican, told Semafor that Democrats are "really motivated" in 2026 and that seats like Texas' shouldn't be taken for granted.

"We need the candidate that can win in the general," Capito said, adding that Republicans are "very concerned about Texas" given the "money coming out" of donors' pockets that could be spent elsewhere.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

GOP senator corners Ken Paxton on alleged cheating scandal in scathing attack

The Texas Republican U.S. Senate primary is rapidly heating up, after incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) aired his primary opponent's dirty laundry on social media.

In a Wednesday post to X, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who is challenging Cornyn to be on the general election ballot in November, highlighted a recent report about Cornyn raising tens of millions of dollars from donors across the country to keep his seat. Paxton accused Cornyn of "stealing $50+ million from races in NC, ME, MI, and GA," referring to hotly contested Senate seats Republicans are hoping to hold ahead of what's expected to be a Democratic wave election.

"He's stuck in the mid-20s, doesn't even know if he'll make the runoff, and is set to lose by huge margins even if he does," Paxton tweeted.

Cornyn's official campaign account fired back at Paxton, and reminded Texans of the attorney general's divorce from his wife, Angela Paxton, after he was accused of having an affair with a Louisiana-based author. The Daily Mail reported in September that Paxton allegedly had secret trysts with writer Angela Duhon, who herself was married.

"Ken, when this over, you will have nothing. Which turns out to be the same thing you offered to give Angela in divorce proceedings," Cornyn's campaign account posted. "This after you cheated on her multiple times."

Ken and Angela Paxton officially split after 38 years of marriage in July of 2025. Angela Paxton – a Republican state senator in Texas — announced she was filing for divorce in a tweet referencing "recent discoveries."

"I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation," she wrote at the time. "But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage."

President Donald Trump has not yet made an endorsement in the Texas Senate Republican primary. On the Democratic side, Texas state representative James Talarico is running against Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). That race was shaken up earlier this week after former Texas Democratic Senate nominee Colin Allred accused Talarico of calling him "mediocre." Talarico said his comments were misconstrued.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

Karl Rove warns of 'diminishing' support for Trump in major red state

Veteran Republican strategist Karl Rove is now warning that his party is bleeding support in a significant Republican stronghold ahead of this fall's midterm elections.

During a recent segment on Fox News' Journal Editorial Report, Rove — who was a top advisor to former President George W. Bush – cautioned that Republicans in Texas can no longer count on the Latino voters who voted for President Donald Trump in 2024 to vote for GOP candidates in the midterms. When host Gerard Baker pointed out that Republicans make significant inroads with Latinos in the last presidential election, Rove agreed that it was a "big" problem for the GOP in keeping its majorities in the House and Senate.

"It’s a problem and we’re going to see it here in Texas," Rove said. "You can just see the support for Republicans in Texas diminishing, despite the fact that initially there was enormous support for the action in securing the border."

Baker observed that despite Republicans' mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House districts in Texas – which was designed to give Republicans the edge in five previously Democratic districts – the departure of Latino voters from the Republican coalition could endanger the GOP's midterm hopes in November. Rove agreed, and suggested Republicans may have made their work needlessly harder by spreading the Republican vote too thin in the Lone Star State.

"Take the district that runs from Corpus Christi to Brownsville. Donald Trump carried the district, but he carried it by one point," Rove said. "So if his support is softening among Hispanics, that makes it unlikely that we're gonna knock off an incumbent Democrat."

The GOP strategist further illustrated his point by noting that Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who Trump pardoned in 2025, refused to change parties. Trump is now actively endorsing Cuellar's likely Republican opponent in the general election, though Rove said those efforts may not be fruitful.

"Henry Cuellar ran ahead of [2024 Democratic nominee] Kamala Harris by nearly 10 points in the district that is centered from Laredo north to San Antonio," Rove said. "That's going to be a difficult district for us to carry, despite the fact that Donald Trump carried the last time around by I think four or five points."

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

'Should not have opened that box': House Republicans condemn gerrymandering 'debacle'

When President Donald Trump called on the Republican-controlled Texas legislature to redraw new U.S. House of Representatives district maps earlier this year, he expressly hoped GOP lawmakers could find five additional Republican seats by carving up Democratic districts. But after federal judges in Texas ruled those maps illegal, some House Republicans are railing against the entire effort.

Politico reported Tuesday evening that the recent 2-1 decision by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has some Republicans bemoaning the apparent failed effort in the Lone Star State to give Republicans an advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) told reporters that House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) refusal to denounce the redistricting push was a "total failure of leadership." Other Republicans are also speaking out against GOP-led gerrymandering efforts.

"I was never in favor of doing all this redistricting stuff anyway," Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) told Politico. "Should not have opened that box."

Kiley's California district is likely to flip Democrat in the wake of https://www.alternet.org/newsom-texas/, which Golden State voters approved by massive margins earlier this month. The Texas decision only applies to the Lone Star State's new maps and will not impact the new temporary maps created by Prop 50, where Democrats are expected to flip five total seats next year. California-based Republican strategist Rob Stutzman called the Texas gerrymandering gambit a "possible debacle" if the Supreme Court decides to uphold the lower court's ruling.

"This will have been a ready, shoot, aim exercise by Trump," Stutzman said.

Should the Texas decision be upheld, the Lone Star State will revert to its 2021 maps, meaning Reps. Greg Casar (D-Texas) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) will no longer be pitted against one another to remain in office. Doggett quoted author Mark Twain on Tuesday, saying "the reports of my death, politically, are greatly exaggerated." Other Texas Democrats like Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) — who has been contemplating a U.S. Senate run — will also be able to run for another term in their respective districts.

Trump's effort to gerrymander Democrats out of their seats in red states has already been running into significant obstacles, as Indiana Senate president pro tempore Rodric Bray said recently he did not have the votes to pass gerrymandered maps through his chamber. New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) has also poured cold water on Trump's redistricting campaign despite her state having a Republican trifecta government, saying earlier this year it was "not on the top of [voters'] priority list."

Click here to read Politico's full report.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

'Trump's man in Texas' says it's his 'first time' disagreeing with president on key issue

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (R), who is President Donald Trump’s self-avowed “man in Texas” is now demanding Trump cease importing beef from Argentina.

“He says he agrees with President Trump on just about everything, but he says he draws the line on one thing,” reported MSNBC reporter Rosa Flores. “He says that he sent the White House a five-point plan that includes opening federal lands to grazing and tax credits. But at the top of that list was one thing, and that thing alone was the message to the president: 'Do not import beef from Argentina.'”

“I think that's a mistake. I think that's the first time I've ever disagreed with Donald Trump,” said Miller adding that he contacted [White House Chief of Staff] Susie Wiles and [advisor] Stephen Miller and said … y'all are trying to solve it in the wrong way.”

Miller said the White House was open to his other ideas, including opening up federal grazing land and new tax credits, so he hoped that "down the road” Trump would be open to reversing his stance on beef imports and not hurting U.S. farmer with dropping beef prices by flooding the market with Argentina beef.

Miller is not the only Republican with a problem on this issue. Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.), the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, also recently expressed opposition to the administration’s proposal, writing in a Southeast Missourian op-ed that “purchasing beef tariff-free from Argentina would be devastating to America’s cattle producers, who are struggling just to get by.”

But there’s no determining which way Trump will go as the White House confirmed plans to quadruple the tariff rate quota for Argentina beef imports. Trump considers Argentina's President Javier Milei an international MAGA ally, and he finalized a $20 billion payout to Argentina — despite outrage from U.S. critics amid a lingering government shutdown and a rash of federal firings.

Watch the segment below:

- YouTube youtu.be

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

'Expel this student': GOP leader's free speech 'double standard' exposed after Kirk murder

While MAGA Republicans and supporters of President Donald Trump have been working hard to get liberal critics of slain far-right activist Charlie Kirk fired, one Republican leader in particular has gone "above and beyond" in his effort to target Kirk's critics, according to a recent analysis.

In a Wednesday article for Slate, author Shirin Ali reported that Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has been on a tear over the past week working to get college students expelled for making negative comments about Kirk. Ali recalled one instance in which an 18 year-old Black female student at Texas Tech University was seen on video disrupting a vigil for Kirk on the school's campus in Lubbock, Texas. The student can be seen on video pushing a student's red MAGA hat off of their head and arguing with onlookers who called her "hateful."

In a post to his X account, Abbott posted a photo of the student being handcuffed by police, tweeting: "This is what happened to the person who was mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Texas Tech. FAFO," which is an acronym for the phrase "f--- around, find out." The student was later expelled from the university.

In another video, a Black male student at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas can be seen disrupting a vigil for Kirk held by the campus' Turning Point USA chapter (the right-wing student activist group Kirk founded). Students can be heard shouting at the disruptor, who was wearing headphones and repeatedly slapping his neck and falling down in an apparent mockery of Kirk being shot. Roughly an hour after Abbott tweeted "expel this student immediately," the school issued a statement saying that when the person in question had been identified, it would be taking action against him.

"That student is now expelled," Abbott announced on social media.

Ali observed that these statements were particularly noteworthy from a governor who had taken public action in favor of free speech on college campuses, signing a bill into law in 2019 aimed at protecting "conservative voices" on college campuses in the Lone Star State. However, Abbott backtracked this year following the nationwide protests on college campuses in 2024 protesting Israel's continued bombing of Gaza. According to Ali, the new law focused on "placing restrictions on students engaging in peaceful protests, banning encampments and megaphones and instating a curfew on student protests."

The Slate author further noted the irony of Abbott's statement that Texans "must send a signal that celebrating the assassination of a free speech advocate is wrong in a civil society," writing that the governor "failed to mention that Texas seems ready to enforce a double standard: If two Black students exercise their free speech rights, the governor will happily penalize them and even celebrate their arrest."

Click here to read Ali's full article in Slate.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

'Texas GOP's biggest mistake': Retired Republican lawmaker becomes thorn in party's side

Retirement can do great things for people, writes Barbed Wire reporter Brian Gaar. And in the case of one retired Republican elected official, it may end up turning them against their former party.

“Turns out the only thing keeping Republican Texas House speaker Dade Phelan from speaking his mind was … his job. Who knew?” wrote Gaar. “The former Texas House Speaker announced last month that he wouldn’t seek reelection. And since then, he’s gone from buttoned-up politician to that one relative at Thanksgiving who’s too old to care what anyone thinks. And honestly? It’s a lot more fun this way.”

Phelan is no “bleeding heart vegan watercolor artist,” said Gaar. Roughly nine months ago, he helped ban abortion and Diversity, Equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at state universities as House speaker. He also voted down gender-affirming medical care for transgender children. But last December he declined to run, after “criticism from fellow Republicans for being insufficiently right-wing,” said Gaar.

Since then, Gaar says Phelan’s gone from “measured politician” to “burn book with a verified checkmark.”

“After years of half-smiles and pre-packaged quotes, it’s refreshing to watch a politician hit the ‘retirement snark’ phase, said Gaar. “You almost wish more of them would quit just so we could get the uncut version.”

While the MAGA movement and Texas lawmakers are bushwhacking people who dare to mention influencer Charlie Kirk’s habit of using “his public platform to dismiss the violence meted out against … George Floyd, and to denigrate women ... and others,” Phelan is calling out A.G Pam Bondi for saying authorities will “target” people for alleged “hate speech.”

“‘Hate speech’ is still free speech,” Phelan wrote on X. “The cure for ugly words is stronger ideas, not censorship. Slippery road ahead.”

“And when Fox News morning slug Brian Kilmeade casually suggested the state kill homeless people with lethal injection, our boy Dade — now liberated from the shackles of office — suggested they ‘lethally inject Kilmeade’s contract’ instead,” wrote Gaar.

Phelan has also taken to X to rant about Texas Republican overreach regarding THC (the active ingredient in marijuana).

“I will not support a ban on hemp products that threatens an entire legal industry built by Texas entrepreneurs, farmers, and small business owners,” Phelan posted. “The latest prohibition bill isn’t about safety — it’s about government overreach.”

“Nothing but net from the Dadester! (Also, damn, where was this Dade Phelan when he had actual power?)” Gaar wrote.

“Of course, we know why he’s suddenly this unfiltered,” added Gaar, pointing to a comment Phelan made under another X post that “not running for election sure does free a guy to speak his mind.”

“Correct,” Phelan commented.

“If this is what Phelan’s like off the leash, maybe the Texas GOP’s biggest mistake wasn’t ousting him. It was setting him free,” wrote Gaar.

Read the Barbed Wire report at this link.

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web

'Paxton has got to drop out': Internet erupts over details of MAGA AG's alleged affair

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) — a close ally of President Donald Trump – is now accused of having a sordid affair with a conservative Christian influencer, according to a new report.

The Daily Mail reported Friday that Paxton is accused of having secret trysts with 57 year-old Tracy Duhon, who is an author and mother of seven. Duhon — the former wife of Louisiana-based car dealership owner Troy Duhon — reportedly met Paxton at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and both stayed at the home of a mutual friend during their visit to Louisville. Two months after the Derby, Duhon filed for divorce from her then-husband.

According to the Mail's unnamed sources, Paxton and Duhon took frequent trips together behind their spouses' backs, including to several overseas locations. The Mail reported that one inside source told the publication that Paxton was "enamored" with Duhon's "faith."

The news of the affair comes just months after Paxton's former wife, Angela — a Republican member of the Texas State Senate — announced the end of their 38-year marriage in a tweet. While Angela Paxton didn't specifically mention an affair in her tweet, she said she was seeking a divorce "on Biblical grounds."

Social media users reacted strongly to the news of Paxton's alleged infidelity, with some suggesting the news could have a major impact on Texas' Republican U.S. Senate primary next year in which Paxton is aiming to unseat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). Cornyn is currently polling just six points ahead of Paxton according to a late August Texas Public Opinion Research poll. Paxton previously led in the polls prior to the news of his divorce.

Eric Michael Garcia, who is the Washington D.C. bureau chief at the Independent, suggested that the Mail's report was the result of Paxton "going full Thom Tillis." This may be a reference to the 2020 election in which a sex scandal sunk Democrat Cal Cunningham's hopes of unseating Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) Journalist and podcaster Karly Kingsley simply wrote: "This is exhausting."

Investment banker Evaristus Odinikaeze slammed the "pretentious sanctimony" of Texas Republicans as a whole, and opined that Paxton's push for redrawing Texas' congressional districts was done "in exchange for a future pardon" as well as "an emotional deflection from his infidelity and promiscuity." One X user responded to the Mail's report by tweeting:"Ok this guy could actually lose Texas," while another insisted the news meant that "Paxton has got to drop out."

Click here to read the Mail's full report (subscription required).

From Your Site Articles

Related Articles Around the Web