By Ahmed Abdelsalam
President Donald Trump told supporters at a Texas rally that oil-rich Venezuela could soon become a prosperous 51st state, nine months after his administration ousted former President Nicolas Maduro. He made the remark while campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton in Lubbock.
Trump highlights Venezuela oil deal
Trump touted a tanker he claimed could hold one million barrels of Venezuelan crude and said the arrangement would allow more Venezuelan oil to be processed in Texas refineries. Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared briefly onstage, describing it as an honor to work for Trump.
Texas Senate race becomes most expensive contest
The race between Paxton and Democrat James Talarico has attracted over $563 million in advertising spending, according to AdImpact. Billionaire Elon Musk has contributed at least $158 million to a super PAC supporting Paxton, framing the election as a battle against wealthy influence. Talarico, a former teacher and seminarian, has cast himself as an underdog fighting billionaire-backed corruption.
Musk and Trump attack Talarico
Musk, who previously said he would distance himself from politics, has posted repeated attacks on Talarico on his platform X. Trump labeled Talarico a “lunatic left” who does not represent Texas values. The president’s visit marked his third trip to Texas in a month as he seeks to prevent Democrats from winning a statewide race for the first time in over three decades.
Trump barnstorms key states ahead of midterms
With the midterm elections entering their final week, Trump has campaigned in Mississippi, Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, and plans stops in Ohio, South Carolina, Kansas, and Iowa again. He won all those states in 2024 and is trying to shore up Republican strongholds against competitive Democratic challengers.
