Trump blames Cornyn and Rove for potential Texas Senate loss as polls favor Democrat

Trump blames Cornyn and Rove for potential Texas Senate loss as polls favor Democrat

Politics

President Donald Trump said on 16 October that a loss by Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Texas would be due to the actions of former Senator John Cornyn and GOP strategist Karl Rove, as the race appears to be slipping for Republicans. Earlier, a University of Texas poll released on 13 October showed Democrat James Talarico ahead of Paxton, and a poll on 5 October indicated a similar lead as early voting began. A CBS News report said Talarico had raised $64 million in the third quarter, bringing his total to $134 million, while Paxton’s fundraising stood at $18 million.

Actors

James Talarico Ken Paxton ReconMR Siena Polling Institute Donald Trump

Locations

Texas Austin San Antonio

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partial Confidence: 55% Claims: 3
At a glance

The claim that James Talarico announced a $64 million fundraising haul in the third quarter, bringing his campaign total to $134 million, was partially confirmed. The claim that Ken Paxton reported $18 million raised in the third quarter had not enough evidence to be verified. The claim that a late-October poll finds James Talarico leading Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat from Texas also lacked sufficient evidence.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

October 16, 2026
1 total
Trump points to John Cornyn and Karl Rove as potential reasons for a Texas Senate defeat
Trump points to John Cornyn and Karl Rove as potential reasons for a Texas Senate defeat

CNN • 16 Oct 01:30

President Donald Trump suggested that former Texas Senator John Cornyn and GOP strategist Karl Rove could be blamed if Republicans lose the upcoming Senate race in Texas.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
October 15, 2026
2 total
Trump blames Cornyn and Rove if Paxton loses Texas Senate race
Trump blames Cornyn and Rove if Paxton loses Texas Senate race

CNBC • 15 Oct 20:41

President Donald Trump said that a loss by Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton would be due to actions by Sen. John Cornyn and strategist Karl Rove, as polls show the Democrat leading.

Credibility 72% Manip. 10% Center
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico raises $64 million in Q3, total $134 million
Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico raises $64 million in Q3, total $134 million

CBS News • 15 Oct 14:33

James Talarico announced a $64 million fundraising haul in the third quarter, bringing his campaign total to $134 million, while his Republican opponent Ken Paxton reported $18 million raised in the same period.

Credibility 72% Manip. 27% Center
October 14, 2026
1 total
Texas Senate race poll shows Talarico ahead of Paxton ahead of early voting
Texas Senate race poll shows Talarico ahead of Paxton ahead of early voting

USA Today • 14 Oct 14:14

A University of Texas poll released on Oct. 5 places Democratic Rep. James Talarico slightly ahead of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton as early voting begins next week.

Credibility 72% Manip. 7% Center
October 13, 2026
1 total
Poll shows Democrat James Talarico ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race
Poll shows Democrat James Talarico ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in Texas Senate race

USA Today • 13 Oct 16:02

A late-October poll finds Democrat James Talarico leading President Donald Trump's hand-picked Republican nominee Ken Paxton for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas.

Credibility 71% Manip. 9% Center

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