President Donald Trump spent part of his Wednesday night keynote at a Republican convention in Dallas making light of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The two-day gathering was presented as a midterm push for Trump and other GOP candidates. Trump has already endorsed Paxton in the U.S. Senate contest against Democrat James Talarico.
Speaking to supporters, Trump left his prepared teleprompter remarks and said, “Some may not like the way he dresses. I don’t, ” according to The Independent. He then told the room that Paxton “looked very spiffy in his blue suit” that evening.
He went on to say some people may not like the way Paxton talks. Trump added that plenty of people do not like the way he talks either, but that they still draw crowds.
Trump still called Paxton America’s top attorney general and asked Texans to send him to the Senate
Trump later said, “He may not dress right. He may not talk exactly perfectly, and he may not be the best-looking guy I’ve ever seen, but you know what he is? He’s the greatest Attorney General in America, and he deserves to be your next senator.” He followed that with an apology and the line, “He’ll never speak to me again, but that’s okay.”
Trump also pointed to Paxton as one of the Republicans who fought for a southern border wall. An August 2024 release from Paxton’s office said the attorney general had blocked the Biden administration from shifting money away from wall construction. In that release, Paxton said, “This is a final victory against Biden’s attempt to defund the border wall.”
Paxton addressed the convention earlier Wednesday in a navy suit and red tie. He labeled Talarico “the most radical Democrat in Texas history” and asked the audience for help. He said, “I need your prayers, your votes and your support.” He also said, “If we lose Texas, we lose the common sense revolution.” Trump has also warned that Texas could turn blue, a fear he has tied to Paxton’s race.
A University of Texas/Texas Politics Project poll released August 24 put Talarico at 42 percent and Paxton at 39 percent among Texas voters, the report said. Paxton has faced scrutiny over his conduct, such as when a caller asked him during a town hall why he cheated on his wife. The same account described Trump’s approval rating as sinking amid high living costs and an unpopular Iran war while he works to lift his party.
A Politico piece from earlier this month said many GOP candidates and lawmakers intend to skip the convention due to other commitments or ticket prices that reportedly hit five figures. Trump is slated to deliver the closing speech Thursday night.
Published: Sep 10, 2026 09:15 am