MAGA candidate puts Trump on notice he won't drop out of Texas race: 'I'm staying in'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is defying Donald Trump's likely preference of Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) by refusing to drop out of the Senate runoff race, a move that could derail the president's efforts to resolve the GOP's costly and divisive primary battle, reports NBC's Melanie Zanona.

"No, I'm staying in this race. I owe it to the people of Texas," Paxton declared in a phone interview with Real America's Voice. "I've spent a year of my life campaigning against John Cornyn, because John has not represented the people of Texas well."

Trump signaled on Wednesday that he plans to issue an endorsement "soon" and will publicly call on the losing candidate to withdraw "immediately."

The Atlantic is reporting that Trump will side with the incumbent instead, which could set off yet another battle among MAGA loyalists.

Republican leadership fears a Paxton victory would jeopardize the seat in November's general election and has been pressuring Trump to back incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) spoke with Trump about the race today.

Paxton's defiant stance sets up a potential confrontation with the president, as Trump attempts to consolidate GOP support behind his preferred candidate while maintaining his image as a kingmaker capable of dictating primary outcomes.