Paxton says he’ll protect Social Security. In private, he told lobbyists “mandatory spending” has to be cut.
His campaign says Washington has no business cutting earned benefits, but on a leaked recording he said cuts to mandatory spending, three-quarters of which is Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, are coming.
His campaign says he will protect Social Security and that Washington has no business cutting seniors’ earned benefits.
Source: Campaign statement to the San Antonio Current, Aug. 21, 2026 · San Antonio CurrentWhat the record shows
In August, Paxton’s campaign said Washington “has no business cutting” seniors’ Social Security benefits and that he would fight to protect the program. 01 In a recording from a Sept. 24 lunch with lobbyists, Paxton said “reasonable cuts to mandatory spending” are needed and “We have to suck it up.” 02 About three-quarters of mandatory federal spending goes to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. 02
The record behind this
- Campaign says Washington “has no business cutting” Social Security
The statement came after a campaign spokeswoman reposted a call to privatize Social Security.
- In private, Paxton tells lobbyists “mandatory spending” must be cut
“Making some reasonable cuts to mandatory spending — you’re gonna have to do it.” He did not name programs.
Response
Paxton said, “I have never said I would take away entitlements from those who deserve or earned them,” and called the coverage “cherry-picked audio.” 02
Sources
- 01Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign says it’s against privatizing social securitySan Antonio Current · Aug. 21, 2026
- 02“We have to suck it up”: Ken Paxton privately suggests cutting federal benefit programs to reduce national deficitThe Texas Tribune · Oct. 8, 2026