At least half a dozen demonstrators disrupted President Donald Trump's remarks at the San Antonio rally, with some escorted out by police. One protester was physically assaulted by an older Trump supporter while trying to leave the arena, according to a video posted on social media.
Trump briefly stepped away from the microphone after one protester appeared to approach the stage. "He's going back home to mom," the president said after the man was removed. "But what he doesn't know is his mom voted for Trump."
Supporters waving cowboy hats and chanting "USA" drowned out some of the protesters. Trump told demonstrators to "get the hell out of here," mocked their appearance, and claimed without evidence that "they're paid by enemies of our nation."
The president also used the rally to address recent comments in which he appeared to suggest Iran could destroy Los Angeles or San Diego, remarks that drew widespread condemnation from Democrats. Trump reiterated the sentiment, saying, "Let them hit San Diego. Let them hit Los Angeles and you want to see some bad things happen," while also asserting, "We protect our cities, we protect our country."
The visit was Trump's third to Texas in less than a month, as Republicans pour resources into a state they had expected to win comfortably in November's midterm elections. Trump endorsed Paxton during the Republican primary, turning against the incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
Paxton appeared on stage and thanked the president, saying, "Mr President, I want to thank you for coming for me, for coming for us, and for coming for Texas. We are going to win this race." Trump described Paxton as "perhaps the greatest attorney general in the United States of America."
The Republican campaign to maintain control of the Senate has become increasingly focused on Texas, where Democrat James Talarico has emerged as a serious threat. A New York Times/Siena College poll released last weekend showed Talarico leading Paxton 51% to 45% among likely voters. Texas has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988.
Trump won Texas by almost 14 percentage points in 2024, but his approval rating has fallen sharply. A Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Monday put his approval rating at 32%, while registered voters preferred Democrats to Republicans 44%-37%.
Trump's relationship with Paxton has sometimes appeared uneasy. Trump called Paxton "a pain in the ass sometimes" last week, according to the report.