Texas Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Ken Paxton is reacting to President Donald Trump’s criticism of the way he dresses.
Paxton brushed off Trump’s wardrobe critique during a Sept. 3 appearance on Fox News, saying Texas is “a relatively casual place” and pointing to the Lone Star State’s summer heat.
“I’ve got my sports jacket on. I love it. Texas is a relatively casual place in the summer, and it’s hot. We adjust. We wear cowboy boots, and we wear a blazer, and we’re all good,” Paxton said.
Trump criticized Paxton’s appearance during a Rose Garden dinner at the White House on Sept. 2, while also praising his record as Texas attorney general.
“And I say this, it’s so insulting to him, but I might as well say it. You might not like the
way he looks, you might not love his look, you might not love his television interviews, but he was the best attorney general in the country, perhaps,” Trump said.
Trump continued, saying Paxton’s record “speaks a lot louder than the suit he’s wearing that doesn’t look so great.”
Trump also targeted Paxton’s Democratic opponent, James Talarico, claiming Talarico eats meat and later becomes sick.
“Now he says he loves meat,” Trump said, before claiming Talarico eats meat and then “throws up all over the place.”
Trump added: “In Texas, if you don’t eat meat, you’re in deep trouble.”
Trump's comments about Talarico's food habits aren't the first — in May, Trump accused him of being a vegan, something Talarico denies.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ken Paxton responds after Trump says his suit doesn't 'look so great'
