Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been accused of lunging at a U.S. tourist who busted him vacationing in London with his lover.
The Trump ally, 63, is locked in a fierce battle with Democrat James Talarico for the Texas Senate seat, a crucial battleground that could determine whether Republicans maintain power after the midterm elections.
Paxton was spotted with his mistress, Christian influencer Tracy Duhon, 58, during a romantic holiday in London in July. Footage obtained by the Daily Mail showed the pair near the tourist hot spot Westminster Bridge.
Now, the American tourist who filmed Paxton and his lover in London has accused the Republican of lunging at him in an attempt to snatch his phone.
The male tourist told the Daily Mail he reported the alleged confrontation with Paxton to the Metropolitan Police in London on July 1, after he recognized the attorney general and filmed an 18-second video of him.
The man, who the publication said spoke to them on the condition of anonymity, said that shortly after he recorded the video, he felt a bump against his left shoulder and saw Paxton next to him.
The Republican allegedly said, âWere you filming me back there?â When the man admitted he was, Paxton responded, âYou canât do that.â
The man said he told the Trump ally, âI can absolutely film you. Youâre a public figure in a public place, and I can film you all I want.â
After the pair were allegedly face to face, the man said that a âmadâ Paxton lunged for his phone and demanded, âLet me see what you filmed.â
As the pair got heated, Paxton said, âI want your phone.â
The man told the Daily Mail, âHeâs yelling at me, and Iâm telling him to back off. He lunged at the phone a second time and tried to force it from me.â
The Americanâs tourist wife ran to her husbandâs assistance when she realized he was in trouble, and he shouted out for her to film the incident on her own phone.
Paxton walked away to avoid being captured on a second phone, the couple claimed. Duhon was not with Paxton during the alleged altercation with the American man, according to the Mail.
The Daily Beast has contacted Paxtonâs reps for comment.
The man clarified that no punches were thrown during the alleged incident and he has paused pursuing criminal charges for fear of retaliation from Paxton or the MAGA political machine if they are identified.
âJust because [my husband] felt like he could hold his own doesnât change the fact that he tried to intimidate and physically threaten someone,â the manâs wife said.
âHe just thinks heâs a tough guy. I think heâs used to people being afraid of him,â the man added of Paxton.
Paxton is still legally married to his wife, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, 62, who âfiled for divorce on biblical groundsâ last year. The couple shares four children.
Duhon is a Christian author and influencer who has seven children. She met Paxton at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, according to the Mail, when she was still married to Louisiana businessman Troy Duhon.She filed for divorce two months after the Derby. Her most recent book, âWhen Hope Is All You Have,â was released in May.
During a town hall in August, Paxton was asked why he cheated on his wife by a member of the public who had phoned in.
Paxton clammed up. âUm, Iâm not gonna talk about personal issues that relate to my family, just like I donât think you would wanna discuss your marriage on a call with thousands of people.â
It came days after hecklers hijacked another event in Houston, shouting âYou cheated on your wife!â at the attorney general.
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