Donald Trump is making his third trip to Texas in less than a month to campaign for Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton. But leaked recordings reveal an uncomfortable contradiction: Paxton privately believes Trump's war with Iran, soaring fuel prices, and even the president's own political events have hurt his campaign.
President Donald Trump returned to Texas on Wednesday for another campaign rally, an unusually concentrated effort in a state that Republicans have dominated in statewide elections for more than three decades.
The president's destination was San Antonio, where he was scheduled to campaign for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate.
Paxton is facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in the November 3 election.
But the political relationship between Trump and Paxton has become increasingly complicated, with leaked recordings exposing the candidate's private frustrations and public appearances featuring unusually personal remarks from the president himself.
Paxton Privately Blames Trump's War and Gas Prices
According to audio obtained by Axios and discussed by CNN, Paxton privately acknowledged that the ongoing war with Iran and rising fuel prices were damaging his political prospects.
Speaking with donors and lobbyists, Paxton identified the war and the cost of gasoline and diesel as major problems for his campaign.
He specifically pointed to diesel prices exceeding $6 per gallon and the financial strain on Texans who depend on trucks and commercial transportation.
His comments were particularly notable because Paxton has been one of Trump's most loyal political allies.
Publicly, he supports the president. Privately, he has acknowledged that major developments under Trump's administration are creating difficulties for his campaign.
Paxton also appeared to distance himself from responsibility for those decisions, emphasizing that he does not control federal policy.
The remarks illustrate a broader challenge for Republicans campaigning in 2026: defending an administration whose policies and decisions are increasingly connected to voters' concerns about affordability.
Even Trump's Political Convention Became a Problem
The Iran war was not Paxton's only complaint.
In another leaked recording, Paxton suggested that Trump's Republican midterm convention in Dallas had actually damaged his campaign's standing.
According to CNN, Paxton said his polling numbers declined following the event.
His campaign disputed the interpretation of those comments.
Senior adviser Nick Maddux dismissed the reporting as manipulated material designed to create a controversy.
Nevertheless, the recordings have placed Paxton in the uncomfortable position of publicly welcoming Trump's assistance while privately questioning whether some of the president's activities have helped him.
Trump Endorsed Paxton, Then Started Insulting Him
Trump's own treatment of Paxton has been unusual.
The president endorsed the Texas attorney general over incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn during the Republican primary, emphasizing Paxton's loyalty and conservative credentials.
But Trump has also repeatedly mocked Paxton in public.
During an appearance in Denton, Texas, Trump described Paxton as loyal while acknowledging that he could sometimes be difficult.
The president has also made remarks about Paxton's appearance, clothing, and speaking style.
The comments are striking given that Trump personally intervened in the Republican primary to help Paxton defeat Cornyn.
Despite the leaked recordings and public insults, Trump said Wednesday that he did not regret endorsing Paxton.
Republicans Warned About This Nomination
Trump's decision to back Paxton over Cornyn was controversial within the Republican Party.
Cornyn had served four terms in the Senate and possessed an established statewide political organization.
Paxton, meanwhile, entered the race carrying years of legal controversies and personal scandals.
In 2023, the Republican-controlled Texas House impeached Paxton over allegations involving abuse of office and corruption. The Texas Senate subsequently acquitted him.
Paxton also faced longstanding securities fraud charges, which were resolved through a pretrial agreement in 2024 rather than a criminal conviction.
His personal life attracted additional scrutiny after his wife filed for divorce in 2025, citing adultery.
These controversies became central issues during the Republican primary.
In September, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis publicly criticized Trump's decision to endorse Paxton, describing it as a major political error.
Tillis argued that Republicans would not be forced to devote so much money and attention to defending Texas if Cornyn had been the nominee.
The disagreement reflects a broader tension within the Republican Party between Trump's emphasis on personal loyalty and concerns among some Republican officials about candidates' appeal in general elections.
Texas Has Become a Major Republican Concern
Texas has not elected a Democrat to statewide office since 1994.
Trump carried the state by more than 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.
Yet recent polling indicates a much closer Senate contest than Republicans have typically faced.
CNN highlighted a survey showing Talarico receiving 51% support compared with Paxton's 45%.
That six-point advantage is a snapshot of one poll, not an election result, but it helps explain the attention both parties are giving the race.
Republicans are investing substantial resources in Texas, while Trump has repeatedly returned to the state to campaign.
His October 7 visit marks his third Texas trip in less than a month.
For Republicans, the Senate race has implications beyond Texas. The party is defending its congressional majorities in an election shaped by economic dissatisfaction, the Iran war, and public attitudes toward Trump's administration.
The Political Contradiction
The most revealing element of the controversy is the difference between Paxton's public political alliance with Trump and his private assessment of the campaign.
Paxton has benefited from Trump's endorsement and continues to campaign alongside him.
At the same time, recordings indicate that Paxton believes several developments associated with Trump's presidency have complicated his Senate campaign.
Trump, meanwhile, continues to praise Paxton's loyalty while publicly criticizing his personality and presentation.
Republican officials insist that the relationship remains productive and that Trump's visits can help motivate their supporters.
But the leaked comments demonstrate that even candidates closely aligned with the president are confronting questions about the political consequences of the administration's decisions.
With the November 3 election approaching, Texas has become an important test of Republican support in a state the party has long considered a stronghold.
The election will ultimately be decided by Texas voters.
For now, the unusual spectacle is unmistakable: a president repeatedly campaigning for a candidate who has privately questioned whether that same president is making his campaign more difficult.