Paxton admits Trump’s Iran war and US gas prices are plaguing Republicans in leaked audio
In leaked audio, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton admits that rising fuel prices caused by Donald Trump’s Iran war are negatively impacting Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. Paxton acknowledges that economic affordability is the party's primary challenge.
Why it matters
The admission highlights internal Republican concerns regarding the political fallout of foreign policy decisions and economic inflation ahead of critical elections.
A person pumps diesel at a Pilot gas station on 14 September 2026 in Buda, Texas. A person pumps diesel at a Pilot gas station on 14 September 2026 in Buda, Texas. US midterm elections 2026 Paxton admits Trump’s Iran war and US gas prices are plaguing Republicans in leaked audio Texas attorney general acknowledged affordability was his party’s ‘biggest problem’ heading into the midterms
Prefer the Guardian on Google Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general running as the Republican candidate in a competitive Senate race, admitted privately that rising fuel prices as a result of Donald Trump’s Iran war were hurting his party before the midterms in the latest leaked audio recording.
Asked what issues were “dragging” his campaign at a closed-door fundraising event, Paxton replied, “It’s not tariffs … it’s the war, it’s gas prices, it’s diesel,” according to an audio recording shared with Axios.
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