Musk bankrolls PAC spending big on Paxton in Texas

President Donald Trump is criticizing fellow Republicans for their interference in Ken Paxton's Senate campaign in Texas. The Republican nominee, who received the president's endorsement, is battling Democratic challenger James Talarico in a state that the GOP has traditionally considered a safe seat. Trump singled out Karl Rove and Sen. John Cornyn, both longtime Republicans, for allegedly doing everything they can to hinder Paxton's chance of victory.

He accused them of hurting both Texas and the United States. Cornyn, a prominent figure in Texas politics, lost his re-election bid to Paxton in a primary where it was claimed that Paxton was a flawed candidate. With only a slim margin in the polls, Talarico, a state legislator and Presbyterian seminarian, has been steadily gaining ground against Paxton.

The race has also been incredibly expensive, with Talarico amassing $134 million in campaign funds. Despite this, Trump is urging his supporters to back Paxton. He has reportedly encouraged a substantial portion of his funds to be spent on direct mail, TV, and digital ads in Texas through October. The Texas Senate race is one of the most expensive non-presidential battles in history, with $235 million spent by outside conservative groups and party committees against Talarico.

Some Republicans are worried that the Texas race's financial burden is taking funds away from other states.