Trump's scorched-earth MAGA takedown jolts Republicans who fear November bloodbath: 'Rome is burning

[mystery-ak]

Trump's scorched-earth MAGA takedown jolts Republicans who fear November bloodbath: 'Rome is burning'

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT

Published: 00:40 EDT, 27 May 2026 | Updated: 10:07 EDT, 27 May 2026

Donald Trump has officially sunk 'disloyal' Texas Senator John Cornyn, but his high-stakes gambit to oust a veteran Republican will almost certainly cost the party.

Top Republicans think the Texas tab could top $200 million.

The worst-case cost for the GOP?

The prized red state Senate seat falling into Democratic hands in six months. 

Cornyn's resounding double-digit defeat to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in Tuesday evening's runoff demonstrates Trump's enduring stranglehold on the GOP.

But his decision to punish a well-funded incumbent and instead throw his weight behind a scandal-plagued nominee now presents fresh problems for the party.

The race could cost the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) an additional $250 million, GOP strategist David Urban told CNN recently.

'Our majority is melting down before our eyes,' an anonymous Republican Senator lamented to  Punchbowl News last week.

Paxton is seen as more controversial than the institutionally reliable Cornyn, and as a non-incumbent, questions remain about how he will fare.

Democratic nominee James Talarico will be well-funded, but must prove Texas has an appetite for a liberal newcomer.

Some Republicans believe Trump has taken his eye off the ball, mired as he is in a war with Iran while the economy flags.

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https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15850895/Trumps-scorched-earth-Republicans-fear-bloodbath.html

[massadvj]

I have said it many times here over the years, but it bears repeating. If a candidate cannot win a primary, chances are he can't win a general election, either. That is what primaries are for.

[Bigun]

Cornyn's resounding double-digit defeat to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in Tuesday evening's runoff demonstrates Trump's enduring stranglehold on the GOP.

That's Bovine scat! What it actually demonstrates is that Republicans are sick to death of being betrayed by those who they have worked tirelessly to elect!

[Fantom]

 

That's Bovine scat! What it actually demonstrates is that Republicans are sick to death of being betrayed by those who they have worked tirelessly to elect!

 

Cornyn.. is the horse head in Thunes bed..  he would be wise to head that warning.

[cato potatoe]

Time will tell.  Cornyn is old and he needed to retire.  He is correct about the price tag of this race sinking candidates elsewhere.

[Fantom]

Time will tell.  Cornyn is old and he needed to retire.  He is correct about the price tag of this race sinking candidates elsewhere.

Likely so.. the GOPE/moderate/corny types tend to not vote for the "lessor " of two evils after  they lose a primary. Like they say us real Americans/Conservative/MAGA people  must do when those RINO scum win.. "hold our nose" they say.

I say .. NAY, no more. They fail to show up in the general for my candidates.. I will vote for theirs ....nevermore.

[Fishrrman]

Maybe Cornyn's defeat in Texas will fire up South Dakotans to ditch Thune in '28.

The time to start the search for one, two or three possible replacements to run against him is... now.

[Cyber Liberty]

 

Cornyn.. is the horse head in Thunes bed..  he would be wise to head that warning.

A hundred bucks says he won't.  He'll double down on 8's.  (I actually did that once, and I walked away from the Blackjack table with a bunch of chips, then told myself that was dumb as Hell and vowed never to push my luck like that again!)

[Fantom]

A hundred bucks says he won't.  He'll double down on 8's.  (I actually did that once, and I walked away from the Blackjack table with a bunch of chips, then told myself that was dumb as Hell and vowed never to push my luck like that again!)

Then he ends up as Fredo..politically.

I favor the lady with a spinning head myself.. Roulette.  Pure math, 6000+ betting options.. and.. the fates.

[Fantom]

Maybe Cornyn's defeat in Texas will fire up South Dakotans to ditch Thune in '28.

The time to start the search for one, two or three possible replacements to run against him is... now.

 

[Cyber Liberty]

I think people are waiting to see what dumbassery he pulls after this non-Recess Recess.  It became a new game yesterday.

[Fantom]

I think people are waiting to see what dumbassery he pulls after this non-Recess Recess.

Speakin' of recess. This is the first time in history that the President , of the party controlling the Senate, has not been able to make recess appointments... because the Senate did not adjourn.... Thune must go.

[Cyber Liberty]

[rustynail]

https://twitter.com/kwasny007/status/2059673387790700791

[Fantom]

https://twitter.com/kwasny007/status/2059673387790700791

   Trump is coming..and MAGA is coming with him.

[bilo]

Time will tell.  Cornyn is old and he needed to retire.  He is correct about the price tag of this race sinking candidates elsewhere.

I'm not so sure. Paxton was outspent 10 to 1 and beat the Rino by 27 points.

With the explosion of alternative media money alone can't buy elections and the day of the legacy media being able to manipulate the voting public has dropped dramatically.

We just need candidates who are strong and articulate.

[bilo]

 

Cornyn.. is the horse head in Thunes bed..  he would be wise to head that warning.

I read a good article in Revolver today, the point was the Rino's see themselves as heroes saving the Pub party from the mindless Maga types. If the author is correct Thune and his fellow Rino's won't heed the warning, but will double down.

[Cyber Liberty]

I read a good article in Revolver today, the point was the Rino's see themselves as heroes saving the Pub party from the mindless Maga types. If the author is correct Thune and his fellow Rino's won't heed the warning, but will double down.

That is my expectation, and we will extract a high price for failing to read the room.

[bilo]

That is my expectation, and we will extract a high price for failing to read the room.

You're right. The Rino's think they can fight a "holding action" until Pres. Trump is gone. They are wrong. The MAGA movement is the TEA Party on steroids and will continue for a long time. Also, Pres. Trump's endorsement is always going to have a real impact.

So far, McConnell, Tillis, Corynn, Cassidy are all on their way out. There will be more in 2028.

[Smokin Joe]

I read a good article in Revolver today, the point was the Rino's see themselves as heroes saving the Pub party from the mindless Maga types. If the author is correct Thune and his fellow Rino's won't heed the warning, but will double down.

Doubling down is the tactic of the Left, in almost everything.

That alone speaks volumes about who is getting removed and the RINOs who backed them.