President Donald Trump posted a sharp rebuke on Truth Social on Monday evening. He called former adviser Karl Rove a "stone cold loser" for planning to vote for a Democrat in Texas. After frequent errors, the president said Rove is "bad for the Republican Party" This public clash highlights deep divisions within the party as the November elections near. Trump noted that Rove suffers from "Trump Derangement Syndrome" after a decade of political fights.
Rove, a longtime strategist for former President George W. Bush, broke party ranks this week. He announced he will vote for Democrat Jon Rosenthal over Republican Bo French. This decision came after French faced backlash for comments about University of Texas students. RedState reported that Rove made these remarks at a private luncheon in Austin.
.@carlosnogueras_ scoops: Karl Rove said at a private luncheon today that, after Bo French's post yesterday, he'd be voting for Democrat for the first time in more than 30 years.
He'll back @Jon_RosenthalTX over "bigot" @bofrench, he told crowd. https://t.co/gkcfIirpcF
— Matthew Watkins (@MWatkinsTrib) September 14, 2026
According to reports, Rove told attendees he views French as a "bigot." Three attendees shared these details with the outlet after the event. Rove said he has voted for only one Democrat in his life. That candidate was Bob Bullock, who ran for lieutenant governor in 1994. This marks a rare public break for the once-powerful GOP operative.
Rove has been critical of the current leadership strategy for the midterms. Just days before this vote announcement, he wrote a column in the Wall Street Journal. The piece was titled "Trump Sticks With a Losing Midterm Plan." He argued that Republicans in competitive races should worry about the president's approach. His new column asked, "Who Will Be the Bigger Midterm Loser?"
I heard UT graduation this year looked like this. I didn’t believe it. The problem is now obviously far worse than anyone imagined. pic.twitter.com/Ys1bql0y4U
— Bo French (@bofrench) September 13, 2026
While the Texas drama unfolds, the White House moved forward with a major appointment. President Trump nominated Texas Rep. Wesley Hunt to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Hunt pitched himself as a staunch ally during the recent primary for state attorney general. He quickly backed Ken Paxton after Trump signaled his support for Paxton.
Hunt said it was the "honor of a lifetime" to receive this nomination. He served as an Army officer in the region and worked as a diplomatic liaison. He promised to "advance his vision of peace through strength and deepen this vital partnership" if confirmed. The position was last held by Michael Ratney, who served until January 2025.
Ted Cruz getting booed at a UT game is funny, but the enrollment data behind the university is far more interesting.
From 2012 to 2025, across the UT system, their own data shows:
White enrollment: −15,488
Hispanic: +35,746
Asian: +13,215
Black: +2,828
International: +1,104… https://t.co/7T490i5zbq pic.twitter.com/sPQcHXmJwY— Nick Plumb (@PlumbNick) September 12, 2026
According to reports, Hunt needs Senate confirmation to assume the role. The upper chamber holds just two weeks of sessions before Election Day. Given the tight schedule, arranging a vote soon might prove difficult. Since Trump assumed office, the Riyadh posting has remained filled temporarily.
These events show the party is active on multiple fronts just weeks before voters go to the polls. The president is defending his base while also pushing for new international leadership. Rove's choice to cross party lines remains a source of intense anger for Trump. The president's post made it clear he sees Rove's move as a betrayal.
🚨Between 1970 and 2025, the White population in Texas plumetted from 89% to 39%. pic.twitter.com/c6osaFcnFy
— Morse Report (@MorseReport) September 13, 2026
The Senate faces a real challenge in confirming Hunt before the election. If the vote does not happen, the role will stay with an interim official. The Texas Republican Party now watches closely to see how the base reacts to Rove.