Once a skeptic, Sen. John Cornyn has become one of President Donald Trump’s most eager allies.
Let’s count the ways:
Cornyn last week dropped his defense of the Senate filibuster, saying Republicans should consider changing chamber rules to pass the SAVE America Act, a Trump priority that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.Cornyn’s reversal came after his runoff rival, Attorney General Ken Paxton, said he might exit the GOP race if Senate leaders lift the filibuster and approve that measure. Cornyn has leaned heavily into his ties to Trump’s agenda, featuring the president in ads and posting a photo last year reading The Art of the Deal.Cornyn has started accusing Democrats of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a term the president’s backers use against Trump’s critics.
Cornyn’s loyalty has put him in line for Trump’s coveted endorsement in the May 26 runoff, potentially a huge boost over Paxton.
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But every time a formal Trump embrace appears imminent it’s put on hold.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks with reporters as he leaves the Senate chamber during a Senate war powers vote on Iran on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Rod Lamkey / AP
After Cornyn finished first in the March 3 primary but short of a majority to avoid a runoff, Trump said he would make a choice soon and urged the other to drop out immediately.
Many Republican leaders view Cornyn as far more electable than Paxton and fear a November loss in Texas could threaten the GOP Senate majority, even as MAGA activists push Trump not to support him.
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Now, the president is dangling the possibility of backing Cornyn to pressure Senate Republicans to advance the tougher voter ID bill.
Last week, Trump told NBC News that its passage could determine his pick, adding that either Cornyn or Paxton could beat state Rep. James Talarico of Austin, the Democratic nominee.
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Time is a factor, though. Tuesday is the deadline to finalize the state ballot for the May 26 runoff.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before he boards Air Force One, Friday, March 13, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., for a trip to Florida. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Mark Schiefelbein / AP
Chasing Trump
Knowing Trump’s sway with conservative voters, Cornyn has moved closer to the president since launching his reelection bid last year, despite earlier skepticism Paxton often cites on the campaign trail.
In May 2023, Cornyn questioned Trump’s fitness to return to the White House, saying Republicans needed an “alternative” and someone “who can actually win.” He then endorsed Trump in January 2024.
In 2016, Cornyn called the idea of a physical border wall “naive.” But in 2017, he pushed a $15 billion border security bill that included funding for a wall.
Paxton said no one has been more loyal to Trump “than me,” citing the 2020 election fight and standing with him during legal battles. He said Cornyn only recently backed “America First” policies to cling to power.
Last week, he dared Cornyn to address the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine.
“CPAC would be the perfect stage for Cornyn to share the riveting tale of his conversion to America First, after 25 years of being anything but,” Paxton wrote on X.
Cornyn defended his shift on the filibuster tied to the SAVE America Act, saying Democrats are blocking “common sense” measures such as proof of citizenship and voter ID.
Texas Attorney General, and U.S. Senate candidate, Ken Paxton celebrates with supporters during a primary election night watch party on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Dallas.
Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer
If Trump backs Cornyn, many of Paxton’s voters would have to choose between Trump and their candidate. A Paxton win would mark a victory for insurgent Republicans and cap his comeback from the 2023 impeachment by the GOP-led Texas House.
Former Tarrant County GOP executive director Jeremy Bradford said a Trump decision, either way, could help unite the party. With Talarico having defeated U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett for the Democratic nomination, Republicans face a costly, extended fight.
“The longer the runoff drags out, the shorter time we have to heal and bring everybody together,” Bradford said.