Trump dismisses Rep. Crockett’s Senate bid as ‘gift to Republicans’

President Trump Dismisses Rep. Crockett’s Senate Bid as “Gift to Republicans”

President Donald Trump expressed strong skepticism about Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s chances in the upcoming Texas Senate race, describing her candidacy as “a gift to Republicans” during remarks to reporters Tuesday at Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport in Pennsylvania.

“She’s a low IQ person, I can’t imagine she wins,” Trump said when asked about Crockett’s recently announced campaign for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. John Cornyn. “Maybe she gets the Democrat nomination, but I think it’s a gift to Republicans.”

Trump didn’t hold back in his assessment of Crockett’s performance in Congress, adding: “She’s a terrible representative. I’ve watched her for the last two years, I can’t believe she’s a politician, actually.”

Crockett, a progressive congresswoman who has represented Texas’ 30th congressional district since 2023, officially filed paperwork Monday to challenge Cornyn in the 2026 election. Known as a fierce Trump critic, Crockett framed her late entry into the race as a necessary response to what she views as an existential political moment.

“I’m done watching the American dream on life support while Trump tries to pull the plug. The gloves have been off, and now I’m jumping into the ring,” Crockett told supporters at her campaign launch.

The congresswoman acknowledged the unplanned nature of her Senate bid, explaining that polling trends influenced her decision. “This was never my intention, this was never about me, I never put myself into any of the polls,” Crockett said. “But the more I saw the poll results, I couldn’t ignore the trends, which were clear, both as it relates to the primary as well as the general election.”

Despite Texas’s long-standing Republican dominance in statewide races—no Democrat has won statewide office in more than three decades—Crockett expressed confidence in her chances. “Many people asked, ‘Can we win this race in November?’ I’m here to say, ‘Yes, we can!'” she declared.

Political analysts note that Crockett’s candidacy represents a significant shakeup in the race. Her announcement came shortly after former Rep. Colin Allred, who had been one of two Democrats vying for Cornyn’s seat, abandoned his Senate bid to pursue a return to the House of Representatives instead.

State Rep. James Talarico remains in the Democratic primary race, while Sen. Cornyn faces challenges from his right flank, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt competing against him for the Republican nomination.

The Texas Senate race holds particular importance in the broader battle for control of the upper chamber in 2026. While Texas has trended more competitive in recent presidential elections, flipping a Senate seat there would require Democrats to overcome significant historical headwinds in a state that has been reliably Republican in statewide contests for decades.

Crockett’s entry also reflects the increasingly nationalized nature of Senate campaigns, with her announcement video prominently featuring Trump’s previous criticisms of her. Her campaign message directly positions her as a counterforce to Trump’s influence, arguing that incumbent Cornyn has failed to stand up to the president.

“Texas is a big boy state made up of brawlers with a moral code. Our representation should reflect that, sadly enough, it doesn’t,” Crockett said, explaining that data analysis convinced her she had the strongest chance of any Democrat to win the seat.

As the race unfolds, political observers will be watching closely to see whether Crockett can translate her progressive profile and anti-Trump messaging into a viable statewide campaign in traditionally conservative Texas.