Donald Trump took a lighthearted swipe at Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, joking during a campaign rally that the state attorney general can sometimes be “a pain in the a**.”
The remark came as Paxton faces Democratic newcomer James Talarico in a closely watched contest that could help determine which party controls the Senate.
Trump is reportedly growing irritated with Paxton after the Texas attorney general was said to have blamed the Republican midterm convention for hurting his standing in the polls.
“When I was being hit by the radical left… Ken Paxton was at my side, more than anybody, and I have to always remember that because he can be a pain in the a** sometimes — I’ll be honest,” Trump said.
Paxton was photographed at the rally, although Trump appeared unaware that he was in the crowd.
“Is he here, by the way? Oh, there he is. Good. I didn’t even know if he was here! I don’t care,” Trump said.
He then praised Paxton, saying he would make the same comments regardless of whether the candidate was present and calling him “the greatest attorney general in the United States of America.”
Trump also described the controversial Texas attorney general as a longtime friend and “one of the most loyal people.”
Our News Outlet has contacted General Paxton and Representative Talarico for comment.
Donald Trump joked that Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton was “a pain in the a**” while speaking at a Thursday rally for the state attorney general.
Trump has reportedly become increasingly frustrated with Paxton, pictured, after the candidate privately acknowledged that the Republican midterm convention had weakened his poll numbers. The President delivered more jibes at a rally in Denton.
The comments followed the release of leaked audio earlier this week in which Paxton appeared to say that Trump’s Texas midterm event had damaged his campaign.
During the conversation, one attendee asked Paxton whether someone was hurting his campaign, saying: “Do you feel like he’s a little bit of a drag?” The muffled recording does not clearly identify the person being discussed.
“When we did that convention… it dropped our numbers. Everybody’s numbers dropped,” Paxton replied. “Right now, yeah, not good.”
The private admission appeared to contrast sharply with Paxton’s public reputation as one of Trump’s most steadfast Republican allies.
Paxton secured the Republican nomination with Trump’s backing, defeating longtime incumbent Senator John Cornyn in a fiercely contested primary earlier this year.
Trump had personally advocated for the unusual midterm gathering, held in Dallas this month, which also served largely as a celebration of his presidency.
Paxton occupied a prominent position throughout the event, sitting in a prime arena seat and mingling with potential donors. Trump introduced him as the nation’s best attorney general, while also teasing him about his appearance and clothing.
The recording was provided to the Times by an attendee who opposes Paxton’s campaign. Three additional people familiar with the fundraiser confirmed that Paxton had attended.
Trump has repeatedly joked at Paxton’s expense as the Texas Republican campaigns against Democratic newcomer James Talarico, pictured, in a Senate race that could determine control of the chamber.
Paxton owes his spot on the ballot to Trump, whose endorsement propelled him past longtime incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn in a contentious primary earlier this year
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Senior Paxton adviser Nick Maddux accused the Times of manipulating the audio to invent a story.
‘Our latest poll from the last week has Ken Paxton leading by three points, and every serious pollster will tell you that our numbers have improved since early September,’ Maddux said.
‘Ken Paxton is going to win this race, and he looks forward to closing strong alongside President Trump, including when he comes to Texas this week.’
But with Election Day just five weeks away, Paxton has narrowly trailed Democrat James Talarico in a string of recent surveys. Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc, has already thrown $20 million behind Paxton’s bid.
Trump, however, sees it the opposite way, boasting just days after the convention that the event gave Paxton a major boost.
‘The fact that we had such a successful convention really helped Ken Paxton,’ Trump said at the time. ‘He was a big part of it… the convention helped Ken Paxton a lot.’
Despite Trump’s public upbeat comments, GOP insiders and candidates privately fear that November’s midterm elections could strip Republicans of their majorities in both the House and Senate.
Democrats currently hold at least slim polling leads in six of the likeliest Senate tipping-point states, Texas, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, Michigan and Alaska, according to multiple polling averages.
Losing either chamber would hand Democrats the power to launch committee investigations into the Trump administration, and potentially open the door to another impeachment.
