Trump deflects Ken Paxton’s leaked audio calling Texas midterm convention a drag on his poll numbers

President Trump deflected Wednesday when asked about the leaked audio of his close allyTexas Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton reportedly told donors that “everyone’s numbers are down” after the recent GOP Midterm Convention in Dallas.

Mr. Trump said in the Oval Office that he “didn’t hear that” about Paxton’s comments, adding: “But I can tell you the convention was incredible, as you probably know.” He then touted the convention audience and argued that “other people were greatly helped” by the two-day event, which touted Republican candidates and focused heavily on Mr. Trump’s record.

Paxton’s comments were leaked to the New York Times, which published the clip on Wednesday. CBS News has not independently verified the audio.

In the clip, Paxton was asked, “Do you feel like he’s a little boring?” although it is unclear who the question was referring to. It was recorded at a private event with lobbyists and donors in South Texas, according to the Times.

Paxton responded: “So, to be honest with you, the numbers – when we had this convention – caused our numbers to drop. Everyone’s numbers have dropped. Right now, yeah, it’s not good.”

In response, Paxton spokesman Nick Maddux said it was “nonsense manipulated to create a story that doesn’t exist” and pointed to an internal poll that showed Paxton leading his Democratic opponent, James Talarico, by three points.

Mr. Trump should pause his campaign in Denton, Texas, on Thursday, although it’s unclear whether Paxton will be there. The president’s visits to the region are expected to take place as the region faces crisis. threat of heavy rain and flooding. Storms are expected to develop Wednesday, with a few showers and thunderstorms moving into the Dallas-Fort Worth area late this afternoon and early evening.

In September, Mr. Trump headlined an unprecedented two-night midterm convention in Dallas, designed to drum up support for Republican candidates as Republicans head into a hostile voting environment this cycle. Although it appeared that the Republican candidate for Texas Senate would be the star of such an event, support for Paxton faded among many Republicans after the bruising primary with incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, a major party fundraiser.

Mr. Trump has long sparred with Cornyn, and the president endorsed Paxton, a longtime ally, at the last minute. Paxton came in ahead of Cornyn, a four-term senator, in a runoff, setting off an earthquake in Texas politics.

At the convention, Mr. Trump said Paxton “might not dress right,” “might not speak perfectly” and “might not be the nicest guy I’ve ever seen.” But he added that Paxton is “the greatest attorney general in America and deserves to be your next senator.”

No Democrat has been elected statewide in Texas since 1994, and Democrats have recently been on fire in recent cycles with exciting candidates who were also prolific fundraisers. But Mr. Trump’s low approval ratings – particularly among Hispanic voters – and Paxton’s low approval rating polarizing past gave Democrats hope this year.

Recent polls show Paxton trailing Talarico. Talarico appeared virtually at an event Wednesday but did not mention Paxton’s comments.

The Texas Democratic Party released a statement Wednesday saying Paxton was “not loyal to anyone but himself” and calling his comments “embarrassing to the president.”

Asked about the audio Wednesday, Cornyn responded “oops!” When pressed by CBS News, he added that Paxton had not led in public polling and warned that “it’s a tough environment, period.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but we haven’t elected a Democrat since before 1994 in Texas, and I think we’re at risk,” Cornyn said. He also told CBS News that he didn’t think he would have been in a similar situation, with his numbers “down,” if he had been the nominee.