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Trump gives Ken Paxton $10 million in first major midterm contribution

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

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  • MAGA Inc. is giving $10 million to support Ken Paxton’s Texas Senate campaign, splitting the money between negative ads against James Talarico and positive ads for Paxton.
  • The contribution marks the super PAC’s first major midterm donation after it accumulated about $400 million.
  • Paxton remains popular among Republicans despite past criticism, including a 2023 impeachment trial over allegations of bribery and official misconduct.

Donald Trump’s first major midterm contribution has gone to Ken Paxton, a Texas Senate candidate locked in a surprisingly close race with Democrat James Talarico. Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC is directing $10 million into the contest, according to a Federal Election Commission filing.

The money will be divided evenly. Five million dollars will fund negative advertising against Talarico, while another $5 million will support positive advertising for Paxton. Both payments will go to Del Ray Media Inc. for television and digital campaigns.

I've raised a lot, and nobody knows what it is, but I will tell you it's about $850 million.

· Donald TrumpTrump described the money he had raised before traveling to South Carolina.

MAGA Inc. holds about $400 million, but had not made a major contribution during the midterm cycle. Its only earlier donation was about $827,000 to South Carolina Sen. Darline Graham, who is seeking a full term after taking the seat previously held by her brother, Lindsey Graham, following his death in July. Trump urged supporters at a rally to “pretend” he was on the ballot and vote for Graham.

I'll be spending a lot of that money for candidates that I think are good, Republican candidates.

· Donald TrumpHe explained how he planned to use his funds during the midterm cycle.

A related nonprofit, Securing American Greatness, has also launched its first nationwide advertisement. The ad focuses on Trump rather than local congressional candidates, prompting concern among some candidates that the spending could promote the president even though he is not on the ballot.

Paxton has faced sustained criticism during his years in office, but he retained 61% approval among Republicans in an August poll by the University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Politics Project. He survived a 2023 impeachment trial involving allegations of bribery, dereliction of duty and disregard of official duties. During the proceedings, an affair became public, and his wife, a state senator, later filed for divorce. Talarico has remained close to Paxton in most polling despite Texas having no Democratic senator for 33 years, while Trump has increasingly criticized him.

Pretend, please, that I'm on the ballot.

· Donald TrumpHe urged voters at a South Carolina rally to support Darline Graham.
About this summary

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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