Trump rallies for Paxton Donor audio and protests

Oct 7

Democracy Now reports Trump's Wednesday San Antonio rally for Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton and airs Paxton thanking him for supporting Texas. It recalls his nomination after Trump's endorsement over John Cornyn. The report separately recounts Axios's disclosure of donor audio in which Paxton blames Iran-war fuel costs for deteriorating Republican prospects against James Talarico. It describes Abbott's absence as a scheduling conflict, rally disruptions and an assault on a protester. No election outcome is reported.

Donor audio newly reported on October 7 has Ken Paxton blaming the Iran war and gasoline and diesel costs for campaign difficulties, citing trucking and resulting food-price pressure. ABC also summarizes his Dallas-convention criticism. Mary Bruce puts the war-and-price criticism to Trump, who claims the war's objectives have essentially been achieved and predicts a quick end and falling oil prices. The donor remarks' original date is not established by the broadcast; the indexed occurrence is their public disclosure.