Texas AG Ken Paxton abruptly ends press conference when asked about scandals

Texas Attorney General and Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton abruptly ended a press conference on Tuesday after being asked about two major scandals that threaten his campaign against Democrat James Talarico in November.

The Exchange

During a press conference flanked by over a dozen law enforcement officers in cowboy hats, a reporter attempted to question Paxton:

Reporter: "General, I wanted to give you a chance to respond to state Representative Talarico and his campaign. They've made a lot about the reports that have come out, one in The New York Times about you acquiring properties worth—"

Paxton: "So Jack, can we keep this to law enforcement today?"

Reporter: "Well, I'm giving you the opportunity to answer the question."

Paxton: "We're here with the sheriffs, I'd like to keep today to law enforcement, so that's what I'm gonna answer, questions about law enforcement."

Seconds later, the reporter pressed on a separate scandal:

Reporter: "Will you answer a question about why you voted in Collin County? Clear that up?"

A staffer immediately shut down the question as Paxton began to leave, visibly uncomfortable.

The Scandals

Paxton refused to address the allegations even as he stood at a podium bearing Talarico's face with the caption: "Talarico: Handcuffed to his record."

Property Acquisitions

A New York Times report last week detailed how Paxton—Texas attorney general since 2015—has acquired 15 properties worth $9 million in states including Utah, Hawaii, Florida, and Oklahoma. These purchases were made on a government salary while Paxton is simultaneously running for Senate and going through a divorce.

Voting Irregularities

A ProPublica report from earlier this month found that Paxton, who has echoed former President Trump's concerns about voter fraud, voted using an address he did not reside at in six elections over two years.

Paxton did not substantively address these allegations when the reports were first published, and he declined to do so on Tuesday.

Also in the News: Trump Tariffs and Economic Concerns

President Donald Trump's advisers are reportedly uncertain about the wisdom of another round of tariffs.

According to a Tuesday report by the Financial Times, Trump is preparing to unleash a "barrage" of fresh tariffs on dozens of countries this week, just before his temporary 10 percent global tariff expires on Friday. Additional tariffs—on top of energy prices already skyrocketing in response to the Iran war—risk "inflaming voter frustration over the high cost of living," the Times reports.

Public Opinion

Trump's tariff campaign remains deeply unpopular across the political spectrum:

• A new Washington Post-Ipsos poll puts Trump's overall approval rating at just 37 percent
• His ratings are dragged down by his handling of the economy and the war in Iran
• Two-thirds of Americans now disapprove of how Trump is handling affordability

Republicans, facing fast-approaching midterm elections in November, are increasingly concerned.

Latest Tariff Actions

On Monday, Trump announced new 50 percent tariffs against Canada, potentially in retaliation for wildfire smoke that drifted across America's northern border last week.

President Trump on Truth Social: "We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein. This is Willful Negligence … which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying."

A senior administration official has since denied any relation between the wildfires and the new tariffs.

For more analysis, read The Blue Book, TNR's newsletter on the Democratic Party: Three Keys to a Democratic Victory in Maine