Trump says Cornyn and Paxton are both electable as he mulls endorsement in Texas Senate race

EXCLUSIVE Donald Trump Trump says Cornyn and Paxton are both electable as he mulls endorsement in Texas Senate race The president told NBC News that an endorsement could hinge on the SAVE America Act, while adding that he likes both candidates "very much." President Donald Trump said he believes he'll make an endorsement in the Texas U.S. Senate race next week and his decision will depend on the SAVE America Act. Jim Watson / AFP - Getty Images Share Add NBC News to Google March 14, 2026, 5:19 PM EDT By Kristen Welker and Sahil Kapur Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 President Donald Trump told NBC News on Saturday that he’s still mulling a potential endorsement in the competitive Republican primary for a Senate seat in Texas. Sen. John Cornyn is facing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a May 26 runoff after a close contest on the first ballot. “I’ll let you know that over the next week or so,” Trump said in a phone interview when asked if he’s going to endorse Cornyn. “I like him. I always liked him.” He said he thinks he’ll make a decision in the next week. “A lot has to do with the SAVE America Act. A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country,” Trump said. Both candidates are vying for Trump’s endorsement. Paxton has championed abolition of the legislative filibuster to pass the Trump-backed election bill. Earlier this week Cornyn abandoned his long-standing support for the Senate filibuster, the 60-vote rule to pass most bills, saying he’ll support “whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary” to pass the SAVE America Act . “I very much appreciate that he is” in favor of nixing the filibuster, Trump said of Cornyn. When asked if Cornyn’s move had won him over, he said, “I don’t know, but we have to get it passed.” Trump also said he’s not convinced Cornyn is the GOP’s best chance to hold the Senate seat. “I’ve heard that. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t kno...