On Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance took the reins for White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt while she is out on maternity leave. At the White House press briefing, Vance ably wrangled the testy press corps in his cogent yet affable fashion. The press corps did its job of issuing rapid-fire questions on Iran, the Fraud Task Force, the economy, and the J6 victims compensation fund, and of course, the fresh-off-the-press endorsement by President Donald Trump of TX Attorney General Ken Paxton in the United States Senate race.
One reporter asked whether Trump's endorsement of Paxton sends "a message to the next cycle of senators considering running for reelection or any MAGA-aligned potential candidate who is considering challenging them?"
Vance's response was precise and succinct.
"First of all, the President's very gratified by the response that he's heard from the base, and from a lot of voters who were passionate about Ken Paxton. We think Ken Paxton is going to be a great senator for the people of Texas, but most importantly, a great United States senator who can work on solving the problems that all of us confront as a country together.
"I've known John Cornyn for a long time, But unfortunately, you know, when it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president, and that's why he ultimately earned the president's endorsement. He thinks he's going to be a better senator, thinks he's going to make a better candidate, and so, I do think it sends a message."
That it does, but as a testament to Vance's rhetorical prowess, he took this seemingly micro issue of one race in one state and expounded on its significance and impact, applying it to the constitutional standard of what representative governance is supposed to be about.
Also see: JD Vance Torches 'No Kings' Hypocrites in Fiery WH Briefing
Vance continued:
"But really, not just the endorsement, but one of the things the president has done very effectively, going back 10 years in his leadership of the Republican Party and the country as President of the United States. He said, you know, 'I want people who fight for the good. I want people who can't be bought by corporate lobbyists, who can't be bought by Wall Street, who can't be bought by special interests, who are going to go to Washington and fight for the people who actually elected them to those positions.'"
As primaries play out in each state, we are seeing this come to fruition. You can say it started in Texas in March, when Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) was given his walking papers by the District 2 voters. Then, on May 5, when five Indiana state representatives who refused to back redistricting were told by their constituents to find new employment. On Saturday, the voters of Louisiana showed Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) the door. And after this Tuesday's primary in Kentucky, Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-04) may be the next cautionary tale.
We shall see.
Read More: Louisiana Voters Just Ended Bill Cassidy's Senate Career After Two Terms and One Key Vote
The Trump Effect: Many of the IN State Senators Who Refused to Redistrict Met the Electoral Axe
Of course, the card-carrying members of the Senate GOP-E are none too happy with Trump's choice.
Senate Republicans are livid with Trump. Just now, Sen. Wicker remained stone-faced (appeared to be intentional) for about 20 seconds as he walked into lunch and we asked him for his reaction
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) May 19, 2026
Sen. Murkowski says TX is all but lost to Dems now
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who is also up for reelection in 2026, expressed her profound disappointment.
NEW: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) reacts to President Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton:
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) May 19, 2026
“I don't understand it. He is an ethically challenged individual. John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved, in my judgment, the president's support, obviously it's the president's…
NEW: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) reacts to President Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton:
“I don't understand it. He is an ethically challenged individual. John Cornyn is an outstanding senator and deserved, in my judgment, the president's support, obviously it's the president's call, but I'm disappointed that he did it.”
While this is about Trump, it's moreso about us. The American people want representatives who actually represent, not get pickled in the D.C. swamp and bought off by special interests. Vance concluded his response by asserting that thanks to Trump's influence, the American people are now challenged and tasked with promoting and supporting the type of candidates who will go to D.C. with a mandate to represent them, and not just curry favor with the party establishment and their preferred lobbies.
Vance ended his response to the question thusly:
"And I think one of the things we've seen in the Republican Party... while I can't say that all of our representatives are perfect or all of our senators are perfect, we have seen a much better crop of talent come into Washington since Donald Trump has been the leader of the party and the leader of the movement. I do think we're going to continue to see that happening. But I think the message that people should take from this is fundamentally, you have got to serve the people who sent you. And if you don't do that, you're going to find yourself out of step with voters and out of step with the President of the United States, and that's not a good place to be politically."
As the scripture says in Daniel 5:27, "You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting." Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) received this assessment from the President of the United States. We will see what the Republican voters of Texas have to say on May 26.
Vance's response in full.
WATCH:
Vance on Trump endorsing Paxton:
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 19, 2026
I've known John Cornyn for a long time, but unfortunately, when it really counted, Ken Paxton was there for the country, was there for the president, and that's why he ultimately earned the president's endorsement. He thinks he's going to make a… pic.twitter.com/YYW3PwAJg8
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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