Trump endorsement – Fox’s Brit Hume said President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton has put the GOP “in some danger” for November, pointing to Paxton’s “baggage” and a bruising past that includes bribery allegations and impeachment.
For weeks, Texas political watchers have treated the race for the state’s Senate seat like something the GOP could largely bank on. But on Fox, Brit Hume argued that confidence is starting to slip after President Donald Trump backed a controversial candidate in the state’s runoff.
Hume. Fox News’ chief political analyst. reacted to a Wall Street Journal headline that said Trump’s support of Ken Paxton over incumbent John Cornyn “Makes Chuck Schumer’s Day.” The newspaper’s point hinged on what would happen next: if Paxton wins Tuesday’s runoff against Cornyn. Trump would bear political responsibility if Democrat James Talarico defeats Paxton in November.
A clip of Trump forecasting a Paxton win—both in the runoff and in the general election—set the tone for Hume’s warning. “I think that the seat is now at least in some danger,” Hume said. “Look, Texas is still Texas. Ken Paxton may yet win, but he has a ton of baggage.”
Hume said Paxton’s political history could make it harder for him to bring in the full range of Republican voters. “There’s no doubt about that,” he said, adding that Paxton “doesn’t really bring in all segments of the Republican base.”
He also framed the challenge for Paxton’s likely Democratic opponent. Hume said Talarico also carries his own baggage, but he argued Talarico is positioned to appeal broadly. “So he’s got a shot now that maybe he didn’t have if his opponent had been Cornyn,” Hume said.
The concern, in Hume’s view, isn’t just the matchup—it’s the baggage. Paxton’s record includes bribery allegations. He was accused of helping a real estate developer harass his enemies in return for the developer funding the renovation of Paxton’s home and helping the AG cover up an extramarital affair. Paxton was later impeached and acquitted.
Taken together, the message from Hume was blunt: Texas may remain Texas, but Trump’s endorsement could reshape the GOP’s path to November—especially if Paxton clears the runoff on Tuesday and then faces a general election test under a cloud of longstanding allegations.
Brit Hume Donald Trump Ken Paxton John Cornyn James Talarico Texas Senate runoff GOP in danger impeachment acquitted bribery allegations
So Trump picked him and now everyone’s like “danger.” Shocking.
I don’t even know who Ken Paxton is but if he’s got all that baggage then why would Trump do it? Sounds like people are trying to act surprised when it goes sideways.
Wait is this about bribery like for real? I thought impeachment acquitted means it’s basically nothing, but Fox is saying it still matters?? Man politics is confusing. Also “Chuck Schumer’s Day” like come on, it’s Texas not New York.
Brit Hume always acts like he’s calling the end of the world. But I’m telling you, if Paxton wins Tuesday then that’s literally on Trump… unless Cornyn was the better pick? Idk why they keep saying “segments of the Republican base” like suburban people are all suddenly voting Democrat over some allegations. Anyway I hope Texans pay attention this time.