President Donald Trump has once again played coy in the Texas U.S. Senate GOP primary, telling supporters he likes all three candidates—incumbent John Cornyn, fiery challenger Ted Cruz ally Brandon Creighton, and dark horse Kenneth Black—and isn’t ready to throw his weight behind any one. This comes amid a heated race where Cornyn’s establishment ties and perceived softness on gun rights have drawn fire from 2A hardliners, while the challengers position themselves as unapologetic defenders of the Second Amendment. Trump’s reluctance to endorse isn’t just political poker; it’s a masterclass in leveraging his kingmaker status, keeping all doors open as he gauges momentum in a state that’s ground zero for border security and firearm freedoms.
For the 2A community, this non-endorsement is a double-edged AR-15. Cornyn’s record includes backing the bipartisan gun control framework after Uvalde—a move that still burns among purists despite his lifetime NRA A-rating—and his coziness with McConnell’s swamp has 2A activists rallying behind primary challengers who promise to filibuster any red-flag laws or ATF overreach. Trump’s even-handed praise signals he’s not abandoning Cornyn yet, potentially stabilizing the incumbent against a grassroots uprising fueled by Gun Owners of America and Texas gun clubs. But it also keeps the pressure on: if Trump sniffs weakness, expect a late endorsement that could flip the race, much like his 2022 interventions. Challengers like Creighton, who’s vowed to block federal gun registries, gain breathing room to court the MAGA base.
The implications ripple nationwide. Texas’s Senate seat is a firewall for 2A priorities in a narrowly divided chamber—think blocking Biden’s ghost gun bans or advancing national reciprocity. Trump’s hedge buys time for pro-gun metrics to shine: poll Creighton’s surge in rural strongholds or Cornyn’s fundraising edge from Big Tech donors. 2A warriors should watch primary turnout on March 5; a Trump tilt could supercharge turnout among concealed carriers and FFL holders, setting the tone for 2024’s battle to reclaim the Senate and cement constitutional carry coast-to-coast. Stay locked and loaded—this one’s far from over.
