As Trump loyalists turn on sitting Republican senators, Democrats eye a rare opportunity in the South.
A civil war is erupting inside the Republican Party—and it’s MAGA versus the old guard.
With Donald Trump back in the White House and firmly in control of the party’s base, his most devoted followers are now targeting GOP senators they view as disloyal. The result? A wave of far-right primary challengers in swing states—and the potential unraveling of Republican Senate control in 2026.
Texas and North Carolina are ground zero.
“MAGA is sick of RINOs,” declared far-right activist Jack Posobiec, referencing so-called “Republicans in Name Only” like Texas Sen. John Cornyn. “In a state like Texas, it’s inexcusable.”
Cornyn, 72, is under fire for daring to cross Trump. His support for military aid to Ukraine and a modest gun reform bill after the 2022 Uvalde massacre put him squarely in the crosshairs of the MAGA machine. Leading the charge against him is Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton—a scandal-plagued Trump loyalist who’s been endorsed by Charlie Kirk, Steve Bannon, and Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Paxton, acquitted by the Texas Senate last year on bribery charges, is now being packaged as the ultimate “America First” warrior—even if it means risking the seat in a general election.
And it is a risk.
Polling shows Paxton beating Cornyn by double digits in the primary—but losing to Democrats in a head-to-head matchup. According to Punchbowl News, a three-way primary poll puts Paxton at 44%, Cornyn at 34%, and potential challenger Rep. Wesley Hunt at 19%. But when it comes to the general election, Paxton trails by 1 point to Democrat Colin Allred—while Cornyn leads Allred by 6.
“This is the nightmare scenario for Republicans,” said a Democratic strategist familiar with Senate races in the South. “They’re eating their own, and we’re going to make them pay for it in November.”
Chris Gustafson, spokesperson for the powerful GOP-aligned Senate Leadership Fund, didn’t mince words:“Texans only need one quick look at Paxton’s record before his support plummets. He’d risk handing the Senate majority to Chuck Schumer.”
And it’s not just Texas.
Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana are also under siege from the far right. Tillis drew fire for refusing to confirm a Trump-backed candidate for U.S. attorney in D.C.—because the nominee supported Jan. 6 rioters.
“I have no tolerance for anybody who entered the building on Jan. 6,” Tillis said flatly.
That one sentence set off a firestorm. MAGA influencers warned that such defiance would suppress turnout. “Never take MAGA for granted,” Charlie Kirk posted ominously.
Senate Republican leadership is scrambling to stop the bleeding. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has reportedly urged Trump to cool the purge, warning that it could backfire in the general election. But so far, Trump is playing coy.
He hasn’t endorsed anyone in the Cornyn-Paxton matchup, and insiders suggest that might be deliberate. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump’s silence could be a calculated strategy to keep Senate Republicans in check—by letting them know their jobs are on the line.
A Trump spokesman said the president is simply “focused on delivering his America First agenda.”
But even that statement is raising eyebrows, as Trump’s MAGA allies openly threaten to derail GOP incumbents in key battleground states—potentially flipping control of the Senate and handing Democrats a golden ticket.
And Democrats are watching with glee.
“It’s a political self-immolation,” said one senior Democratic aide. “Trump’s base is so obsessed with purging anyone who doesn’t worship him that they’re burning down their own house. We’re just bringing the marshmallows.”
Bottom line: As the GOP devours itself in a Trump loyalty test, Democrats are poised to pick up unexpected wins—if they can seize the moment.
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Of course it is! The older generation of Republicans were all about fiscal matters, and, for awhile, moral issues. The new Trump Republicans are all about making money, no matter the cost. That obviously must include stopping taxes. The “older” Republicans understood that some taxes were necessary – for infrastructure and to be able to reach a compromise with their Democrat opposition. The new Trump Republicans want no taxes, particularly for any program they dislike, no matter how valuable, education, public works, etc., for example.
BS article! Winning MAGA is just terminating and replacing some RINOs… whereas evil Democrats’ Party of evil LOSERS, weirdos, perverts, retards, junkies, ILLEGALS, criminals, CRIME WAVE, murderers is imploding!
You don’t get it! The “old Guard” in both parties sold is up the river! Thats why our deficits are so high! They are almost all corrupt. And the Democrat “new guard” is so self absorbed about woke politics they are not supporting America either. It’s time for deep cuts and out with the old guard…how did Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden make hundreds of millions of dollars in public office?? Follow the money!
I’m still waiting for this NG to start talking about all the wrongs Biden did
“The old guard”?? Most people call em RINOS!!