Texas Senate nominee Ken Paxton spent time in Dubai with fugitives
A report says Texas Republican Ken Paxton, the state attorney general, spent 2024 time partying in Dubai with two American fugitives while campaigning. Trump backs him despite scandals, and donor-linked contributions raise further questions about his fitness.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
A report says Republican Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, partied in Dubai in 2024 with two U.S. fugitives while preparing for a high-stakes Senate race. Trump backed Paxton despite his scandals, a bet described as one of the riskiest of the midterms. Separately, Paxton reportedly accepted campaign contributions from donors with interests in cases his office handled, and CNN political commentator S.E. Cupp said Paxton is a liability for Republicans.
Why it matters
The reports raise questions about Paxton's fitness for the Senate seat he is seeking and about the judgment of the Republicans backing him.
Timeline
- Oct 12, 9:00 PM ET: An exclusive report says Paxton partied in Dubai with two U.S. fugitives in 2024, ahead of the Texas Senate race.
- Oct 13, 5:00 AM ET: Reporting says Paxton took campaign funds from donors who had interests before his office.
- Oct 13, 9:42 PM ET: CNN political commentator S.E. Cupp questioned whether Republicans should keep backing Paxton, calling him a liability.
Coverage
- S.E. Cupp asks Republicans on GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton: ‘Is this guy worth it?’ (CNN)
- Ken Paxton took campaign funds from donors with interests before his office (The Washington Post)
- Exclusive | Republican Ken Paxton Partied in Dubai With Fugitives Ahead of High-Stakes Texas Senate Race (WSJ)
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