President Donald Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC has made its first significant campaign contribution of the 2026 midterm cycle, donating $10 million to support Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign. The donation, disclosed in a Federal Election Commission filing, comes as Paxton faces an unexpectedly close contest against Democratic challenger James Talarico.
What Happened
On September 5, 2026, a filing revealed that President Trump’s MAGA Inc. has allocated $10 million to Paxton’s campaign efforts. The funds are evenly split between $5 million for positive advertisements promoting Paxton and $5 million for negative advertising targeting Talarico. Both allotments will be managed by Del Ray Media Inc., a political media firm, and will cover television and digital ad placements.
This marks the first major disbursement from MAGA Inc.’s substantial $400 million war chest for the midterms, prior to which the super PAC had made only modest contributions. Earlier in the 2026 cycle, MAGA Inc. donated $827,000 to Senator Darline Graham in South Carolina, who is campaigning to retain a seat formerly held by her late brother Lindsey Graham.
Key Facts
- President Trump publicly announced in August 2026 that he planned significant spending on Republican campaigns, mentioning a total fundraising sum near $850 million, including personal funds.
- Ken Paxton, the current Texas attorney general, has maintained a 61% approval rating among Republicans as of August, according to The Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.
- Paxton has survived an impeachment trial in 2023 that included allegations of bribery and duty neglect; the proceedings also revealed personal scandals, including an extramarital affair.
- James Talarico, Paxton’s Democratic opponent, is running neck-and-neck in polling despite Texas not electing a Democratic senator for over three decades.
- Trump has recently intensified criticisms of Talarico, even coining the nickname “Tala-freako,” which Talarico leveraged by marketing T-shirts bearing the nickname.
- A spokesperson for MAGA Inc., Alex Pfeiffer, characterized Talarico’s policies as harmful to Texan taxpayers and emphasized MAGA Inc.’s commitment to supporting Paxton’s Senate bid.
What This Means
This $10 million infusion signals Trump’s strategic commitment to retaining influence over key Senate races, particularly in Texas, a crucial state for Republican electoral prospects. The funds not only bolster Paxton’s campaign infrastructure through media buys but also intensify the messaging war, especially with half directed at attacking the Democratic opponent.
Paxton’s survival of past political and legal controversies, combined with Trump’s high-profile support, keeps him competitive in a state where Democrats have struggled to secure Senate seats in decades. This investment from MAGA Inc. reflects the ongoing importance of Texas as a battleground despite its traditional Republican dominance, which shows potential electoral volatility heading into the midterms.
For voters, this development means a high-stakes, well-financed media battle ahead, which could frame local and national conversations about Texas’s political direction. For the broader Republican strategy, Trump’s sizable donation highlights the continuing role of his super PAC in shaping candidate fortunes.
Background
Ken Paxton has been a prominent Texas Republican figure, serving as attorney general amid several controversies including an impeachment trial in 2023 on allegations of bribery and failure to perform official duties. Despite these challenges, Paxton has retained strong Republican support.
Opposing him, Democrat James Talarico has campaigned aggressively, gaining ground in polls at a time when Texas has not elected a Democratic U.S. Senator since 1993. Trump’s MAGA Inc. super PAC was established to channel large-scale campaign funds for favored Republican candidates, and its $400 million reserve was anticipated to be deployed more broadly ahead of the midterms.
What Comes Next
MAGA Inc. is expected to continue funding extensive advertising campaigns in Texas leading up to the election. The race’s competitiveness suggests additional high-profile endorsements and political spending as the November 2026 midterms approach.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following sources:
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