(../../../favicon.ico)  (../../../../am12.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/images/icon-192x192.png) (../../../../am12.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/images/icon-192x192.png) Leaked Audio Shows Paxton Dissing Trump's Convention     (index.html)                     (oEmbed (JSON)) (https://www.mediaite.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Fbombshell-leaked-audio-shows-ken-paxton-dissing-trumps-convention-blaming-it-for-his-bad-polls-everybodys-numbers-dropped%2F)  (oEmbed (XML)) (https://www.mediaite.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Fbombshell-leaked-audio-shows-ken-paxton-dissing-trumps-convention-blaming-it-for-his-bad-polls-everybodys-numbers-dropped%2F&format=xml)  (../../../../am11.mediaite.com/med/cnt/plugins/seotech-tagipedia/css/related-posts.css@ver=7.1.2.css)  (https://www.mediaite.com/wp-json/)  (JSON) (https://www.mediaite.com/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/5763371)  (RSD) (https://www.mediaite.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd)   (http://mediaite.com/a/eispz)  (http://mediaite.com/a/hhfot)   (https://am11.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/js/min/min.js?2608141810) (https://am13.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/fonts/dmserif-700.woff2?2505151140) (https://am11.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/fonts/dmserif-700i.woff2?2505151140) (https://am14.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/fonts/roboto-500.woff2?2505151451) (../../../../am11.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/css/min/crit-main.min.css@2609151457.css) (../../../../am11.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/css/min/crit-main.min.css@2609151457.css) (../../../../am13.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/css/min/def-main.min.css@2512171801.css) (../../../../am13.mediaite.com/med/cnt/themes/m2019/css/min/def-main.min.css@2512171801.css)   (comScore)     (index.html#wrap) Skip to main content      Manage Subscription Sign in ! (https://www.mediaite.com/subscribe) Mediaite+   Dark Mode Dark Mode         (https://www.youtube.com/mediaite) (YouTube)     (https://twitter.com/mediaite) (Follow @mediaite)     (https://www.facebook.com/mediaite) (Like us on Facebook)      (https://www.instagram.com/mediaite/) (Instagram)       (search) () (Search...)        (https://www.mediaite.com/category/media/) Media  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/politics/) Politics  (https://www.youtube.com/mediaite) Video ▾  (https://www.youtube.com/mediaite)   Mediaite  (https://www.youtube.com/@MediaiteShorts)   Mediaite Shorts  (https://www.youtube.com/@MediaitesPressClub)   Mediaite's Press Club  (https://www.youtube.com/@danabrams)   Dan Abrams    (https://www.mediaite.com/category/tv) TV  (https://www.mediaite.com/podcasts) Press Club  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/entertainment/) Entertainment  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/sports/) Sports  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/podcasts) Podcasts    (https://www.mediaite.com) Mediaite                           Manage Subscription Sign in ! (https://www.mediaite.com/subscribe) Mediaite+    (https://www.mediaite.com/category/media/) Media  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/politics/) Politics  (https://www.youtube.com/mediaite) Video ▾  (https://www.youtube.com/mediaite)   Mediaite  (https://www.youtube.com/@MediaiteShorts)   Mediaite Shorts  (https://www.youtube.com/@MediaitesPressClub)   Mediaite's Press Club  (https://www.youtube.com/@danabrams)   Dan Abrams    (https://www.mediaite.com/category/tv) TV  (https://www.mediaite.com/podcasts) Press Club  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/entertainment/) Entertainment  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/sports/) Sports  (https://www.mediaite.com/category/podcasts) Podcasts      Bombshell Leaked Audio Shows Ken Paxton Dissing Trump’s Convention — Blaming It for His Bad Polls: ‘Everybody’s Numbers Dropped’  (https://www.mediaite.com/author/tom-durante) (Posts by Tom Durante) Tom Durante  Sep 30th, 2026, 8:24 am    Share (https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Fbombshell-leaked-audio-shows-ken-paxton-dissing-trumps-convention-blaming-it-for-his-bad-polls-everybodys-numbers-dropped) X  (https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediaite.com%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2Fbombshell-leaked-audio-shows-ken-paxton-dissing-trumps-convention-blaming-it-for-his-bad-polls-everybodys-numbers-dropped) Facebook  (https://www.reddit.com/submit) (submit to reddit)    Copy Link     (index.html#open-comments)   (Ken Paxton)  AP Photo/Eric Gay, File  Looks like Ken Paxton (R-TX) has finally had enough of President Donald Trump’s attacks on his looks. The Senate candidate, involved in a tense Senate race with Democrat James Talarico , was caught on leaked audio admitting that Trump’s midterm convention in the Lone Star State hurt him more than it helped. “Do you feel like he’s a little bit of a drag?” Paxton is asked in the clip (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/us/politics/ken-paxton-trump-midterm-convention.html) obtained by The New York Times . “So to be honest with you, the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers,” Paxton replied. “Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.” The Times was given the audio by an attendee at a recent fundraiser, who wished to remain anonymous. The source told the paper that he’s opposed to Paxton’s candidacy. During the convention earlier this month, Trump gave a speech in which (https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump/trump-urges-texans-to-vote-for-republican-who-may-not-be-the-best-looking-guy/) he urged Texans to vote for Paxton, though he “may not be the best-looking guy.” Paxton (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/breaking-ken-paxton-steamrolls-john-cornyn-after-snagging-trump-endorsement/) emerged as the Republican candidate in May after (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/breaking-trump-endorses-ken-paxton-in-texas-gop-primary/) securing the endorsement of Trump, who snubbed incumbent John Cornyn . Trump intervened in the race over the objections of many in the party establishment — who worried Paxton’s various corruption and infidelity scandals would plague him in the general election, and put a safe Senate seat in play. And those fears seem to be playing out. Despite the president’s backing, Paxton has failed to hold off Talarico in recent polls, putting Republicans at risk of losing a Senate race in reliably-red Texas for the first time in 38 years. Even legendary GOP strategist Karl Rove (https://www.mediaite.com/media/podcasts/time-is-running-out-karl-rove-sounds-alarm-over-ken-paxton-flailing-against-james-talarico/) has said that Paxton’s time “is running out!” Rove added, “If the president wants to have Paxton win, he needs to be tossing a lot of money Paxton’s way.” New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters" Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. (https://www.mediaite.com/subscribe) Subscribe now!       Tags: (https://www.mediaite.com/tag/ken-paxton/) Ken Paxton (https://www.mediaite.com/tag/leaked-audio/) leaked audio (https://www.mediaite.com/tag/new-york-times/) New York Times (https://www.mediaite.com/tag/texas/) Texas    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/thats-a-dirtbag-joe-scarborough-flips-gop-senators-taunt-back-at-him-after-his-jack-smith-hearing-fail/)    Previous Post (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/john-fetterman-turns-to-republican-linked-firm-in-bid-to-secure-extra-campaign-cash-report/) Next Post      (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/thats-a-dirtbag-joe-scarborough-flips-gop-senators-taunt-back-at-him-after-his-jack-smith-hearing-fail/)    Previous Post (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/john-fetterman-turns-to-republican-linked-firm-in-bid-to-secure-extra-campaign-cash-report/) Next Post      Load Comments Please enable JavaScript to view the (http://disqus.com/?ref_noscript) comments powered by Disqus.     (Featured Posts) Top Stories  (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/thats-a-dirtbag-joe-scarborough-flips-gop-senators-taunt-back-at-him-after-his-jack-smith-hearing-fail/) (Featured post image)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/thats-a-dirtbag-joe-scarborough-flips-gop-senators-taunt-back-at-him-after-his-jack-smith-hearing-fail/) Scarborough Flips GOP Senator's 'Dirtbag' Taunt Back at Him After Hearing Fail     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/just-in-cockpit-scuffle-on-flydubai-commercial-flight-sparks-hijack-alert-major-disaster-was-narrowly-avoided/) (Featured post image)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/just-in-cockpit-scuffle-on-flydubai-commercial-flight-sparks-hijack-alert-major-disaster-was-narrowly-avoided/) JUST IN: Cockpit Scuffle Between Pilots on Commercial Flight Sparks Hijack Alert     (https://www.mediaite.com/politics/reporter-confronts-republican-senator-on-the-street-over-viral-blunder-what-happened-in-there/) (Eric Schmitt)    (https://www.mediaite.com/politics/reporter-confronts-republican-senator-on-the-street-over-viral-blunder-what-happened-in-there/) Reporter Confronts Eric Schmitt Over Viral Blunder: ‘What Happened in There?'     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/p-diddys-pampered-prison-lifetstyle-exposed-including-liquor-nudes-and-more-the-day-he-arrived-the-party-started/) (Sean Diddy Combs)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/p-diddys-pampered-prison-lifetstyle-exposed-including-liquor-nudes-and-more-the-day-he-arrived-the-party-started/) Diddy's Cushy Prison Lifestyle Exposed: 'The Day He Arrived, the Party Started'     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/senator-tuberville-forgets-republicans-controlled-congress-during-part-of-biden-administration/) (Larry Kudlow and Tommy Tuberville)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/senator-tuberville-forgets-republicans-controlled-congress-during-part-of-biden-administration/) Tuberville Forgets Republicans Controlled Congress During Part of Biden Years         (tips) Tips  (mailto:tips@mediaite.com) (Tips)    (mailto:tips@mediaite.com) Have a tip or story idea? Email us. (https://www.mediaite.com/tips/) Or to keep it anonymous, click here .    (Popular Posts) Most Popular  (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/jack-smith-eviscerates-trump-in-opening-statement-president-trump-engaged-in-serious-crimes-against-our-nation/) (Jack Smith)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/jack-smith-eviscerates-trump-in-opening-statement-president-trump-engaged-in-serious-crimes-against-our-nation/) Jack Smith Says Trump 'Engaged in Serious Crimes Against Our Nation'     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/gop-senator-gets-a-scolding-after-telling-jack-smith-you-make-me-want-to-throw-up-in-my-mouth/) (Jack Smith and John Kennedy)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/gop-senator-gets-a-scolding-after-telling-jack-smith-you-make-me-want-to-throw-up-in-my-mouth/) GOP Sen Gets a Scolding After Telling Jack Smith 'You Make Me Want to Throw Up'     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/republican-senator-fires-back-at-ted-cruz-on-senate-floor-for-gods-sakes/) (John Kennedy)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/tv/republican-senator-fires-back-at-ted-cruz-on-senate-floor-for-gods-sakes/) Republican Senator Fires Back at Ted Cruz on Senate Floor: 'For God's Sakes'     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/completely-humiliating-gop-senators-unbelievable-hearing-faceplant-stuns-media-world/) (Eric Schmitt)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/completely-humiliating-gop-senators-unbelievable-hearing-faceplant-stuns-media-world/) 'Completely Humiliating!' GOP Senator's Wild Hearing Faceplant Stuns Media World     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/gop-sen-who-imploded-in-spectacular-fashion-touted-as-top-jd-vance-vp-pick-just-hours-before/) (JD Vance)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/gop-sen-who-imploded-in-spectacular-fashion-touted-as-top-jd-vance-vp-pick-just-hours-before/) GOP Sen Who Imploded In Spectacular Fashion Touted as Top JD Vance VP Pick               Comments          ↓ Scroll down for comments ↓ Loading comments...     You may also like:  (https://www.mediaite.com/partner-content/campaigns-are-buying-your-data-right-now-so-is-everyone-else/) (Featured post image)    (https://www.mediaite.com/partner-content/campaigns-are-buying-your-data-right-now-so-is-everyone-else/) Campaigns Are Buying Your Data Right Now. So Is Everyone Else.   (https://www.mediaite.com/author/sponsored) (Posts by Sponsored) Sponsored  Aug 12th, 2026, 9:53 am      (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/p-diddys-pampered-prison-lifetstyle-exposed-including-liquor-nudes-and-more-the-day-he-arrived-the-party-started/) (Sean Diddy Combs)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/p-diddys-pampered-prison-lifetstyle-exposed-including-liquor-nudes-and-more-the-day-he-arrived-the-party-started/) Diddy’s Pampered Prison Lifestyle Exposed, Including Liquor and Nudes: ‘The Day He Arrived, the Party Started’   (https://www.mediaite.com/author/zachary-leeman) (Posts by Zachary Leeman) Zachary Leeman  Sep 30th, 2026, 8:49 am   (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/p-diddys-pampered-prison-lifetstyle-exposed-including-liquor-nudes-and-more-the-day-he-arrived-the-party-started/#open-comments)     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/john-fetterman-turns-to-republican-linked-firm-in-bid-to-secure-extra-campaign-cash-report/) (John Fetterman)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/john-fetterman-turns-to-republican-linked-firm-in-bid-to-secure-extra-campaign-cash-report/) John Fetterman Turns to Republican-Linked Firm in Bid to Secure Extra Campaign Cash: Report   (https://www.mediaite.com/author/david-gilmour) (Posts by David Gilmour) David Gilmour  Sep 30th, 2026, 8:48 am   (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/john-fetterman-turns-to-republican-linked-firm-in-bid-to-secure-extra-campaign-cash-report/#open-comments)     (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/fox-news-apologizes-after-airing-clip-of-9-11-crash-while-reporting-on-in-flight-brawl-hijack-alert/) (Fox News airs Shanksville clip)    (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/fox-news-apologizes-after-airing-clip-of-9-11-crash-while-reporting-on-in-flight-brawl-hijack-alert/) Fox News Apologizes After Airing Clip of 9/11 Crash While Reporting on In-Flight Brawl, Hijack Alert   (https://www.mediaite.com/author/tom-durante) (Posts by Tom Durante) Tom Durante  Sep 30th, 2026, 7:45 am   (https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/fox-news-apologizes-after-airing-clip-of-9-11-crash-while-reporting-on-in-flight-brawl-hijack-alert/#open-comments)          (https://www.youtube.com/mediaite) (YouTube)     (https://twitter.com/mediaite) (Follow @mediaite)     (https://www.facebook.com/mediaite) (Like us on Facebook)      (https://www.instagram.com/mediaite/) (Instagram)       © 2026 Mediaite, LLC  (https://www.mediaite.com/about/) About Us  (https://www.mediaite.com/careers/) Careers  (https://www.mediaite.com/contact/) Advertise  (https://www.mediaite.com/privacy/) Privacy  (https://www.mediaite.com/accessibility/) Accessibility  (https://www.mediaite.com/user-agreement/) User Agreement  (https://www.mediaite.com/ethics-diversity-policy/) Ethics & Diversity Policy  (https://www.mediaite.com/contact/) Contact      (https://www.mediaite.com/subscribe) (Mediaite One Sheet Newsletter)