GOP Rep. Don Bacon Breaks With Trump Over Ken Paxton Endorsement
Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican who has frequently broken with President Donald Trump on policy and political strategy, said Sunday that Trump made a “mistake” by endorsing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state’s Republican Senate runoff.
Speaking on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Bacon argued that character concerns surrounding Paxton should have carried more weight and suggested the endorsement may ultimately hurt Trump politically. The comments put Bacon at odds with the president and much of the GOP base that rallied behind Paxton after Trump’s endorsement.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 110K+ readers →
Trump endorsed Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in one of the most closely watched Republican contests of the election cycle. The endorsement reshaped the race and intensified an already bitter divide between establishment Republicans and Trump-aligned conservatives.
Bacon’s criticism is notable because public disagreement from Republican elected officials has become increasingly rare as Trump has consolidated influence within the party. The exchange also underscores continuing tensions over candidate quality, electability, and the future direction of Republican politics.
Subscribe free for daily political analysis they won’t broadcast. Join 110K+ readers →