Trump rallies for Ken Paxton in San Antonio, attacks Democrat James Talarico
In short
President Donald Trump held a rally in San Antonio on Wednesday for Ken Paxton's U.S. Senate bid and centred much of his speech on Paxton's Democratic opponent, state Rep. James Talarico. TIME reported Trump told the crowd "We'll never forgive you" if Texans let Talarico win, as multiple polls show Talarico with a shot at becoming the first Democrat to win statewide in Texas in more than three decades. Protesters repeatedly interrupted the rally.
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President Donald Trump held a rally in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday in support of Ken Paxton's bid for the U.S. Senate, and centred much of his remarks on Paxton's Democratic opponent, state Rep. James Talarico. Newsweek reported the rally took place at the Freeman Coliseum and described Paxton as the Republican Senate nominee. TIME reported it was Trump's third trip to Texas in less than a month. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
TIME reported that multiple polls show Talarico with a shot at becoming the first Democrat to win statewide in Texas in more than three decades, and quoted Trump telling the crowd: "We'll never forgive you for what you have done if you let that happen." At another point Trump said: "The people of Texas are not going to let a weak, gutless, self-hating, transgender-promoting freak show destroy everything that we built. So you need to go and vote for Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate." TIME said Trump repeated incorrect claims that Talarico is vegan. [ 1 ]
Newsweek reported Trump told Texans "Pretend that I'm on the ballot" and touted his proposed $5,000 "Trump dividend". According to TIME, Trump said gun rights and his own legacy are on the ballot, reminded voters that he plans a firing-squad execution of a man convicted of attacking troops at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009, which TIME said would be the first since World War II, mocked climate change, and claimed Democrats want to kill thousands of oil and gas jobs in Texas, a claim TIME called false. "I've basically been off-script for the entire night," Trump said. [ 1 , 2 ]
TIME and Newsweek reported the rally was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, and Newsweek reported protesters were removed. Before the rally, protesters gathered outside the arena with signs calling for "no more detention centers" and reading "San Antonio fights back", Newsweek reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Trump praised the turnout: "Who the hell fills up an arena like this for a midterm? There's never been anything like it." Newsweek said the Freeman Coliseum usually holds closer to 11,700 people for concerts and political rallies, quoted CNN's Erin Burnett saying "This one is full", and said The Associated Press described a "packed Freeman Coliseum" while local reports described large crowds, long lines and supporters arriving hours before the event. [ 2 ]
TIME reported the speech came as Republicans try to weather the drag Trump has become for their candidates up and down the ballot. A CBS News headline said Trump also reversed comments on Iran bombing Los Angeles and San Diego; its summary gives no details. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
TIME reported that multiple polls show the Democrat with a chance to win statewide in Texas for the first time in more than three decades, and that the rally came as Republicans try to weather the drag Trump has become for their candidates. Trump told Texans to "pretend that I'm on the ballot", Newsweek reported.
Key facts
- Trump held a rally in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday in support of Ken Paxton's U.S. Senate campaign. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Paxton's opponent is Democratic state Rep. James Talarico. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Newsweek reported the rally was held at the Freeman Coliseum, which usually holds closer to 11,700 people for concerts and political rallies. [ 2 ]
- TIME reported it was Trump's third trip to Texas in less than a month. [ 1 ]
- Trump told the crowd "Pretend that I'm on the ballot" and touted his proposed $5,000 "Trump dividend", Newsweek reported. [ 2 ]
- The rally was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, and Newsweek reported protesters were removed. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Trump held a rally in Texas for Ken Paxton's Senate campaign. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- James Talarico is the Democratic candidate running against Paxton. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Trump attacked Talarico at the rally. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The rally was held in San Antonio on Wednesday. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Protesters repeatedly interrupted the rally. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Talarico is vegan. Trump said Talarico is a vegan; TIME said that claim is incorrect.
- Trump's comments on Iran bombing Los Angeles and San Diego. Only the CBS News headline says Trump reversed comments on Iran bombing Los Angeles and San Diego; no document gives details.
- The size of the crowd. Trump said the arena was full and Newsweek cited CNN and the AP describing it as full or packed, but no document gives an attendance count.
- Trump's claim that Democrats want to kill thousands of oil and gas jobs in Texas. TIME said the claim is false; no other document addresses it.
- Whether the planned firing-squad execution would be the first since World War II. Only TIME states this.