Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo directly confronted Texas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton on Sunday over his controversial record, citing a major national newspaper’s characterization of his past.
During an interview on Sunday Morning Futures, Bartiromo pressed Paxton on his history, which includes past accusations regarding bribery, fraud, and misconduct.
“What are you going to do about your own record and your own perception?” Bartiromo asked. “The Wall Street Journal describes you as scandal-plagued.”
Paxton, who recently won a GOP primary runoff against incumbent Senator John Cornyn following an endorsement from President Donald Trump, deflected the label toward a prominent critic and Wall Street Journal contributor.
“Well, look, that was all pushed by Karl Rove, and I understand how that works,” Paxton responded. “And I get why they said that.”
Paxton did not address specific criticisms raised by Rove during the segment. Instead, he compared his situation to that of the former president.
“The reality is they could say the same thing about Donald Trump,” Paxton said.
The Senate candidate then expanded on his defense, emphasizing the legal standard of proof.
“They have to prove these things in our country, that they did not do with President Trump and that they didn’t do with me,” Paxton said. “And yet they continue to act like something bad happened when they have no proof of it.”
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