The president used his winding, nearly two-hour keynote address to try to boost Republicans around the country, telling his supporters to “pretend that I’m on the ballot” this fall.
Donald Trump
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The 2026 Texas Tribune Festival
John Fetterman, Marjorie Taylor Greene to close and open TribFest
Two of American politics’ most unique and least predictable voices bookend our three days of live journalism.
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State Government
MAGA Inc. cavalry arrives for Paxton in Texas Senate as Trump’s PAC places $10 million ad buy
This is the first buy that Trump’s well-heeled political operation has made for a general election, underscoring how critical Texas’ Senate race is to the GOP’s hopes.
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Environment
Federal disaster assistance approved for some Texas counties after July floods
The announced funding will help 19 counties pay for infrastructure repairs, but Texas is still waiting for help for individuals in the affected counties.
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Texas affordability crisis
With voters squeezed by high costs, Texas candidates race to claim affordability mantle
If not carefully vetted, candidates’ proposals to lower costs could exacerbate future affordability issues, experts say.
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Environment
FEMA still hasn’t approved most disaster aid for Texans hit by this year’s July floods
The six-week wait for approval fits a pattern: On average, the Trump White House is taking longer than previous administrations to approve major disaster assistance, research shows.
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2026 Texas Elections
Trump visits Texas to fundraise for Ken Paxton’s Senate bid
The president’s trip, which includes a GOP event and a NASA ceremony, comes as the Texas attorney general trails his U.S. Senate challenger James Talarico in the polls and fundraising.
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Congress
Ted Cruz says on podcast it’s “no secret that I want to be president”
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also speculated during their conversation that Gov. Greg Abbott also aspires for the White House.
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TribCast
TribCast: The Big Bend border barrier backlash
TribCast is joined by state Sen. César Blanco and politics reporter Alejandro Serrano to discuss the growing bipartisan outrage over building border barriers in Texas’ largest national park.
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2026 Texas Elections
Cornered by Big Bend backlash, Texas Republicans tread carefully around Trump
Most of the state’s GOP leaders have hedged on the White House’s plans for the region, welcoming a construction pause without breaking from a president they’re loath to cross.
