New MAGA recruits and $300 million war chest postpone Trump’s lame-duck era

A president’s political power typically wanes in his second term because he cannot seek reelection, and attention inevitably turns to who the next leader of the free world might be. But President Donald Trump does not seem like a lame duck just yet.

Trump, who repeatedly quips that he will run again in 2028, regardless of the Constitution, demonstrated his political strength again this week. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton triumphed over Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) after the president finally endorsed Paxton last week for the Republican Senate nomination in the Lone Star State.

“Congratulations to Ken Paxton on such a tremendous win, and to John Cornyn for having run a strong and powerful race but, more importantly, having had a truly great career,” Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday. “John will remain my friend for a long time to come, as