LISTEN: In Latest Ken Paxton Leak, Paxton Claims John Cornyn Working Against Him to “Teach Those Republicans a Lesson”

Trump-Endorsed Texas Republican Senate Nominee Ken Paxton revealed in newly released audio tapes that John Cornyn, still triggered by his primary loss to the MAGA favorite, wants him to lose and “to teach those Republicans a lesson.”

Cornyn allegedly said, “It’s going to be hard to learn, but they need to know that their decisions have consequences. We need to make sure they understand it.”

This is the latest leak from a series of audio tapes recorded at a September 24 gathering in DC.

Various snippets from the meeting have been leaked since last week in a coordinated attempt to hurt Paxton.

First, the New York Times published audio from the meeting; then, Politico, Axios, and the Texas Tribune obtained different tapes that aren’t even damaging to Paxton and used them to push a hoax. Trump has stood by Paxton despite attempts by the media to drive a wedge between the two.

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In the latest leak, Paxton exposes Cornyn to lobbyists and donors. In Paxton’s telling, Cornyn is “clearly not helping” and “wants me to lose.”

Paxton said his friend, who ran into Cornyn at a restaurant in Dallas, told Cornyn, ”I realize it’s hard to lose an election, but it shows a lot of character that you’re supporting the ticket and you’re supporting Ken Paxton.”

“And Cornyn’s face went red,” according to Paxton.

“He backed off and said, ‘Paxon’s going to lose. We need to teach those Republicans a lesson. It’s going to be hard to learn, but they need to know that their decisions have consequences. We need to make sure they understand it.'”

“That’s what he’s trying to do. That’s John Cornyn,” Paxton added.

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More from CNN:

CNN has not independently confirmed Paxton’s account, and a Cornyn representative, Rob Jesmer, told CNN that the conversation at the restaurant did not happen.

“If Sen. Cornyn wanted Ken to lose, I can assure you he’d be more active in the campaign,” Jesmer, a longtime political strategist for Cornyn, said. “He has said he supports the Republican ticket. Given all Ken has said and done, I think that’s a pretty good place for Sen. Cornyn to be.”

Asked for comment on the audio, Paxton’s campaign dismissed it as “a story that doesn’t exist” but noted that Paxton “has called, texted, and offered to have a conversation with Senator Cornyn.”

“Like all Texans, General Paxton appreciates his decades of service to the Lone Star State,” Paxton senior adviser Nick Maddux said in a statement. “We hope he will join us in our fight to preserve the institution that is the United States Senate and help save our majority.”