Trump to weigh in on Texas GOP Senate race, says endorsement coming ‘shortly’
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid his growing influence over key Republican primary battles, President Donald Trump prepares to weigh in on the high-stakes Texas Senate race between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton.
On Tuesday, May 19, Trump spoke to reporters at the White House and announced his intention to endorse a candidate in the Texas GOP Senate primary. He mentioned that he would be making a formal announcement about his endorsement soon.
🚨🚨 NEW: President Trump moments ago: "I'll be making a statement in a little while as to who I'm endorsing in Texas for the Senate."
— Nathaniel Reed (@ReedReports) May 19, 2026
Trump flips, backs Texas primary after denial
The news comes a day after Trump refused to officially endorse either of the Republican candidates. Sen John Cornyn (R-TX) and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) are locked in a fierce fight. Notably, Trump posted more than 30 political endorsements.
When asked why he waited so long at the White House on Tuesday, Trump said he’s “pretty much always known who I was going to endorse. I just thought this was a good time.”
He added: “I’m going to be doing that very shortly.”
Both the Republican candidates, Cornyn and Paxton, have lobbied hard to get Trump’s support. They have launched numerous scathing attacks on each other’s character so far.
In February, following the reports of Paxton’s wife divorcing him, Cornyn launched a personal attack on his rival, saying, “Sadly, not even his own family can trust Ken Paxton.”
Early voting in the Lone Star State battle began on Monday, with election day set for May 26.
The development shows Trump's growing influence in the Senate primary as it comes three days after helping to oust Sen Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.
Trump has also urged voters to show the door to Rep Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Trump, Iran strikes stopped an hour before launch
Earlier, during the same interaction with reporters, Trump revealed that military strikes against Iran were halted an hour before the launch due to the intervention by Gulf allies.
Trump revealed that the military was “all set to go” for a devastating wave of strikes against Iran before he ordered a dramatic, last-minute postponement.
REPORTER: "How close were you to striking Iran?" @POTUS: "I was an hour away. We were all set to go... it would have been happening right now." pic.twitter.com/JdtA8Ums03
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 19, 2026
Trump confirmed that he chose to freeze the imminent offensive after receiving urgent personal appeals from the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
"I was an hour away; we were all set to go," Trump told reporters during the White House briefing. "It would’ve been happening right now."
