U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) leaves the Senate floor during a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 13, 2026. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
(Washington, DC) – Senate GOP Leader John Thune is reportedly furious after President Trump threw his support behind Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the 2026 Senate race, dealing a major blow to Sen. John Cornyn.
Trump’s endorsement instantly turned the Texas primary into a national test of power inside the Republican Party. Cornyn has long been a fixture in the Senate GOP establishment, while Paxton has built his campaign around loyalty to Trump and the MAGA base.
The move puts Thune in a difficult position. As Senate leader, he is trying to protect Republican incumbents and keep the party focused on holding power in Washington. But Trump’s backing of Paxton sends a different message: loyalty and outsider energy may matter more to GOP voters than seniority or institutional support.
Paxton’s allies are celebrating the endorsement as proof that the race is shifting in his favor. Cornyn’s supporters argue he remains a proven conservative with a long record in Texas and a better chance to hold the seat in a general election.
The fight now sets up one of the most closely watched Republican primaries of 2026. It is not just Paxton versus Cornyn — it is Trump’s movement versus the Senate GOP’s old guard.
For Thune and party leadership, the concern is clear: if Trump can take out a veteran Republican senator in Texas, every other establishment-backed candidate will be watching closely.
