DALLAS — Attorney General Ken Paxton took the stage at the GOP’s midterm convention on a notable Wednesday evening, immediately showering President Donald Trump with praise. “The press, the courts and the establishment all tried to take President Trump down, but he’s won every single time,” Paxton declared, highlighting Trump’s numerous achievements. He emphasized that Trump had “delivered more for this country than anyone before, secured victories for America that no other president could, and always stood up for Texas.”
As the convention closed, Trump himself took the stage for a keynote address, naming Paxton as a key candidate he intends to support throughout the campaign trail. “I’ll be coming back to Texas, because we have to elect Ken Paxton,” Trump announced to thunderous applause from attendees at the American Airlines Center. “If I have to, I’ll come back twice or three times. You’ll say, ‘Get this guy out of here!’”
However, Trump’s endorsement came with a humorous twist. While praising Paxton’s record, he humorously critiqued his appearance, saying, “Some may not like the way he dresses — although tonight he looked very spiffy in his blue suit, I must tell you.” Trump acknowledged that his jests about Paxton’s looks were not part of his planned remarks, revealing his penchant for off-the-cuff humor.
On the campaign trail, Paxton often draws parallels between himself and Trump, citing their shared status as beloved figures within the GOP base and framing themselves as victims of political persecution through impeachments and indictments. Trump, however, chose to focus on other similarities during his speech.
“Some people don’t like the way I look either,” Trump remarked, reinforcing the idea that appearance is often a point of contention in politics. He concluded his endorsement by stating, “In the history of Texas, he is the single greatest attorney general you’ve ever had, and maybe the top attorney general in the whole United States.”
Interestingly, Paxton was the only Senate candidate explicitly named by Trump, underscoring his significance in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive Texas Senate race. With polling averages indicating that Democrat James Talarico is narrowly leading, the stakes are high for Republicans. Trump, cognizant of the stakes, expressed his commitment to assist Paxton and other candidates in battleground races, stating he would visit every swing district and state this fall.
“I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot — I’m on the ballot — just one more time,” Trump said, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing the Trump-loving voters who may typically abstain from non-presidential elections. Historical trends suggest that the party in power often experiences losses during midterms, a fact Trump openly acknowledged during his speech.
Despite the potential challenges, Trump is determined to defy political history. He hinted at a bold proposal, promising a $5,000 dividend for every adult citizen if Republicans hold both chambers of Congress, although such a plan would face significant legislative hurdles.
Beyond Trump
Throughout the six-hour programming of the convention, Republicans consistently labeled their opponents as socialists and radicals, frequently targeting the party’s more progressive members. Talarico, who is running against Paxton, received multiple mentions from speakers, all critical of his positions and public persona.
Trump even joined in, humorously referring to Talarico as “a weird looking dude,” while echoing criticisms about his views on capitalism and Christianity. Trump’s comedic jabs included a fabricated anecdote about Talarico’s dietary habits, further illustrating the light-hearted yet pointed rhetoric of the event.
Other prominent Democratic figures like President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senator Bernie Sanders were also targeted in the speeches, with speakers employing a range of tactics to paint the Democrats as extreme. The convention functioned as an extended campaign rally, featuring an array of video montages and speeches aimed at rallying the Republican base.
Trump’s return to familiar campaign themes was evident as he touted his previous electoral victories in Texas and reiterated his commitment to border security, a topic resonating with many GOP voters. He expressed appreciation for Texas politicians like Governor Greg Abbott and Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn for their efforts in building the border wall, signaling his ongoing focus on immigration issues.
In summary, the GOP midterm convention showcased the party’s strategy as it gears up for the upcoming elections. With Trump’s influence and Paxton’s central role, Republicans aim to energize their base and counteract historical trends that may threaten their standing in the midterms.
Kayla Guo contributed to this report.
