President Trump held a rally in San Antonio to support Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, whose race has become uncertain with less than a month until the midterms. Mr. Trump focused much of his defense on his own record and the border, bringing up Mr. Paxton only briefly onstage, introduced by baseball star Roger Clemens. The president was interrupted by protesters, several of whom were removed in handcuffs. Mr. Trump used the rally to attack Democrats and paint a bleak picture of Texas under Democratic policies, while highlighting his own popularity with the crowd. Despite the show of support, Mr. Paxton remains a tough sell to a wider electorate, as even Mr. Trump has recently acknowledged the candidate's flaws regarding his appearance and demeanor.
The event underscored the party's concern about Texas competitiveness in November. Mr. Trump's third trip to Texas in a month highlights the high stakes of the race, especially as he endorsed Mr. Paxton over Senator John Cornyn. The president entertained the crowd with stories about Pete Rose and Roger Clemens, jokes about his hair and Melania, and repeated claims about immigration and election integrity. He also played footage of migrants at the border and referenced Harry Enten's poll numbers showing strong support among the MAGA base.
While Mr. Trump urged voters to support Mr. Paxton to 'save Texas,' the awkward dynamic between the two was evident throughout the night.
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