In a big upset on Saturday, Democrats in Texas won a state legislative special election, with Democrat Taylor Rehmet winning the seat over Leigh Wambsganss.
President Donald Trump had endorsed the Republican on Truth Social earlier in the week, warning that “radical left Democrats” were “spending a fortune” to defeat Wambsganss, who he called a “true MAGA warrior.”
“I’m not involved in that.”🤥 pic.twitter.com/bZQEoMFWSC
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) February 1, 2026
However, Rehmet emerged victorious, winning in a district that Trump had carried by 17 points in 2024. And once the result was known, Trump seemed not to know such an election had taken place.
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When a reporter asked the president about the result, Trump answered, “I don’t know. I didn’t hear about it. Somebody ran — where?” When told it was the Texas race, Trump replied, “I’m not involved in that. That’s a local Texas race. You mean I won by 17, and this person lost? Things like that happen. I’m not on the ballot.”
Q: In Texas, a Democrat won a special election in an area you won by 17 points. What is your reaction?
TRUMP: I don’t know. I didn’t hear about it. Somebody ran — where?
Q: In Texas
TRUMP: I’m not involved in that. That’s a local Texas race. You mean I won by 17, and this… pic.twitter.com/5AcrXd4bc3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 1, 2026
Trump opponents had some shocked reactions to the president’s sudden about-face.
Two days ago, the president used his social media platform to endorse this “phenomenal candidate” and to urge “all America First Patriots” in the district to get out and vote for her.
Today, he says he doesn’t know anything about it and had nothing to do with it.
He’s lying or demented or both.
— Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) February 1, 2026 at 12:59 PM
ik this is tired at this point, but imagine the news cycle if
-Biden posted on social media about a special election 3x in 12 hours
-a day later he said he wasn’t involved in that and didn’t hear about it https://t.co/3oyO7mOB9D
— Dj (@DjsokeSpeaking) February 1, 2026
Trump with an assessment of what happened in that Texas special election last night, which may end up applicable to lots of other races in this midterm year:
“You mean I won by 17, and this person lost? Things like that happen. I’m not on the ballot” https://t.co/fMpj5ahcaz
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) February 1, 2026
President Trump says he’s “not involved” in SD 9 race where his endorsed candidate (who he boosted multiple times in the runup) lost a +17 Trump district. He’s either not being truthful or it makes you question how much stock people should put into his social media endorsements. https://t.co/uMMHqwH02P
— James Barragán 🌟 (@James_Barragan) February 1, 2026
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
