Former President Donald Trump faced repeated interruptions from protesters during a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday as he urged voters to support embattled Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. The event featured multiple disruptions, with demonstrators briefly halting Trump’s remarks and some being removed by police. One protester was physically confronted by an older Trump supporter while leaving the venue.
During the rally, Trump reacted to a protester who approached the stage, dismissively saying the man was “going back home to mom” and claiming, without evidence, that the protesters were “paid by enemies of our nation.” Supporters in attendance countered the interruptions by waving cowboy hats and chanting “USA,” while Trump told protesters to “get the hell out of here,” mocking their appearance.
Trump also addressed his recent controversial comments about Iran, which sparked criticism from Democrats. Speaking at the rally, Trump reiterated ambiguous remarks suggesting Iran could launch missile attacks on cities such as San Diego or Los Angeles. He said such an attack would create “a horror show” and “freefall” in the country but insisted that the U.S. would prevent such an event and protect its cities.
This appearance marks Trump’s third trip to Texas in under a month as Republicans intensify efforts to secure Senate seats in the state ahead of November’s midterm elections. Trump endorsed Paxton during the Republican primary after opposing incumbent Senator John Cornyn and introduced him on stage, where Paxton expressed gratitude and optimism about his prospects.
Trump praised Paxton as “perhaps the greatest attorney general in the United States” and described him as steadfast and supportive. However, their relationship has shown signs of tension; last week, Trump referred to Paxton as “a pain in the ass,” and the rally avoided discussion of a recently leaked recording in which Paxton reportedly criticized ongoing issues such as the war in Iran, fuel prices, and his own campaign strategy.
Instead, Trump directed much of his criticism at Democratic challenger James Talarico, whom he repeatedly derided as “Talafreako.” Trump accused Talarico of being vegan and suggested, without evidence, that he had disappeared due to health issues linked to dietary changes imposed for political purposes. Trump accused Talarico of promoting “transgender” agendas and warned that Texans would not allow “weak, gutless, self-hating” candidates to undermine conservative achievements.
The rally underscored political challenges within Texas, highlighted by the absence of Governor Greg Abbott, a Trump ally who is focusing on his own tight re-election race against Democrat Gina Hinojosa and was attending a hospital dedication several hundred miles away. Democrats criticized Abbott for not appearing at the event with Trump.
Republicans have invested more than $300 million in Texas races, reflecting the competitive nature of the midterms. Despite Trump’s 14-point victory in Texas in the 2024 presidential election, polls suggest his approval rating has declined sharply. Recent surveys show Democrat-favored margins among registered voters and indicate Talarico leading Paxton by several points in a competitive Senate race. Trump’s ongoing campaign efforts have taken him through multiple Republican-leaning states in recent weeks as he seeks to bolster party prospects ahead of the elections.