Donald Trump’s political operation has begun pouring money into the 2026 midterm elections, with MAGA Inc. committing $10 million to support Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton in Texas and attack his Democratic opponent, James Talarico.
The Trump-aligned super PAC disclosed the television and digital advertising purchase on Saturday, ending a dispute among Republican groups over who would finance the first major advertising push for Mr Paxton.
It is the first general-election spending by MAGA Inc., which has accumulated a cash reserve of more than $400 million. Mr Trump said on Friday that the organisation could spend between $400 million and $500 million across the midterms.
“I’m going to help a lot of the congressmen and senators,” the president said at a news conference.
The Texas contest is one of the country’s most closely watched Senate races and could help decide which party controls the chamber. The scale of the advertising operation reflects the cost of campaigning across a state with more than 18 television markets.
Nearly $130 million was spent on advertising during the Republican primary and subsequent run-off, in which Mr Paxton defeated the incumbent senator John Cornyn after receiving Mr Trump’s endorsement.
MAGA Inc.’s first advert promotes Mr Paxton as the stronger candidate on taxation. The intervention comes after the Republican nominee struggled to attract financial backing from some donors following a bruising primary campaign.
Mr Trump has backed Mr Paxton while also offering pointed criticism of his appearance and media performances. At a White House event this week, he said voters “might not like the way he looks” or his television interviews, but called him “perhaps” the best attorney general in the country.
Mr Paxton played down the remarks during an appearance on Fox News. “Texas is a rather casual place in the summer and it’s hot,” he said. “We adjust. Wear cowboy boots, a blazer, and we’re good.”
Mr Talarico, a state representative, has built a strong fundraising operation of his own and his campaign dismissed the new spending as an attempt by wealthy outside groups to influence the race.
“Billionaire-backed dark money groups are lying about James Talarico because they’re scared of the people-powered movement we’re building to fix this broken, corrupt political system,” said JT Ennis, a spokesman for the Democratic campaign.
The arrival of MAGA Inc. on the airwaves is expected to intensify an already expensive contest, with both parties seeking to turn the Texas Senate race into a test of their national political strength in November.
