Donald Trump stopped at Peterbilt Motors in Denton, Texas on Thursday during a campaign trip, and he used the visit to push hard for Ken Paxton. Paxton is the state attorney general running for the Senate against Democrat James Talarico. The race is a toss-up for either party.
Trump told the crowd that Paxton was essential to Texas. “We need Ken so badly, and that’s why I’m here,” he said. “I wanted to stop here.”
Then he turned on Talarico. Trump called him “a freak” and said putting him in office “would be such a horror to the system.” He also said it would be “such a horror to … your state and such a horror to the country” to put Talarico in office.
Paxton’s Standing in the Race
Paxton is running for the Senate seat in Texas. The polls show the contest is too close to call for either party. Trump’s visit puts his full weight behind Paxton, even as he attacks Talarico.
What Trump Said About Talarico
Trump’s words were blunt. He did not soften the message for the crowd.
| Trump’s Comments | Target |
|---|---|
| “We need Ken so badly, and that’s why I’m here.” | Paxton |
| “I wanted to stop here.” | Paxton |
| “A freak” | Talarico |
| “Would be such a horror to the system.” | Talarico |
| “Such a horror to … your state and such a horror to the country.” | Talarico |
The Message From Peterbilt
Trump’s stop at Peterbilt was a chance to speak directly to workers. His words about Paxton and Talarico were meant to energize the crowd and warn against the Democratic candidate.
The Race at Stake
The polls show the contest is a toss-up for either party.
What This Means for Paxton
Trump’s presence matters. His endorsement is a boost.
The Broader Context
Trump’s visit to Texas is part of a wider effort to shore up Republican positions ahead of the election. Paxton’s Senate race is one of the key fights.
Where the paper stands
The paper backs neither Paxton nor Talarico but supports candidates who champion individual freedom, small business, and a political system that resists concentration of power, rather than one built around a contest between two competing machines. Trump’s visit to Peterbilt was a naked appeal to voters through insult and threat, not an argument for either man’s merits. The paper does not endorse Paxton because he is the one Trump endorsed, nor does it back Talarico because he drew Trump’s ire. It backs candidates who stand for the paper’s principles.
The paper’s north star is individual freedom, small business, and avoiding concentrations of power. Paxton’s campaign rests on a single endorsement from a president who trades in insults and threats, not on any record that serves those ends. Talarico faces the same attack machine. Neither man’s platform addresses the paper’s concerns.
The reader should watch for candidates who make their case on their own merits, without relying on insult or threat to win over voters. A campaign that depends on a president’s insults to carry it is a sign of weakness, not strength.
Key Facts
- Trump spoke at Peterbilt Motors in Denton, Texas
- Paxton is running for the Senate against Democrat James Talarico
- Polls show the race is a toss-up for either party
- Trump called Talarico “a freak” and a “horror to the system”
Trump’s visit to Peterbilt was a direct appeal to Texas voters. He made Paxton’s case personally and warned against Talarico in the same breath. The race remains a toss-up, and Paxton now has the president’s full endorsement.
See the a run of 14 images at the Washington Examiner.
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