Trump and Paxton target Talarico's flu absence; Talarico backs Trump's call for a debate
In short
Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump have attacked Democratic nominee James Talarico over his absence from the campaign trail, which his campaign attributes to the flu. Paxton led a "Where is James Talarico?" chant at a rally with Trump in San Antonio on Wednesday, and Trump later said Talarico "should immediately report to a Debate Stage". Talarico replied "I agree", and his campaign says he expects to be back on the trail this weekend.
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Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton and President Donald Trump have attacked Democratic nominee James Talarico over his absence from the Texas campaign trail, which his campaign attributes to the flu. At a rally with Trump in San Antonio on Wednesday, Paxton led the crowd in chanting "Where is James Talarico?" Outlets gave different counts of the absence: Fox News and The Hill cited 11 days, while CNN, NBC News, Newsweek and the New York Post said 12 days. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 ]
At the rally, Trump said, according to ABC News: "He's sick because he's forced to eat meat for political reasons and he's throwing up all over the place." Fox News said Trump made the suggestion without evidence. ABC reported that Republicans have attacked Talarico as a vegan over comments he made in 2022 about reducing meat consumption, and that he is not a vegan. On Truth Social, Trump called Talarico "MISSING IN ACTION", and on Thursday wrote that "12 days is a long time to rid yourself of the so-called flu bug," the New York Post reported. [ 2 , 3 , 5 , 7 , 11 ]
The AP reported that after the rally, flying back to Washington on Air Force One, Trump said on social media that Talarico "should immediately report to a Debate Stage" to face Paxton. Talarico posted on Thursday: "President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate. I agree. Ball's in your court @KenPaxtonTX." Talarico challenged Paxton in July to three televised debates, the AP reported. The Washington Post reported that Paxton has repeatedly rebuffed calls to debate, and the AP said no debate has been scheduled and Paxton has not publicly responded to Trump's demand. [ 4 , 9 , 10 ]
Paxton's campaign has shared "MISSING" posters of Talarico, with photos of flyers outside Kyle Field at Texas A&M University in College Station, in Fort Worth and in Dallas, Newsweek reported. Paxton campaign spokeswoman Madison Cercy called for "proof of life", asking Talarico to produce a photo of himself with a newspaper showing the date, according to NBC News. [ 6 , 8 ]
Talarico disclosed his diagnosis on Sept. 30, when he joined a U.S. Hispanic Business Council event in Edinburg by video after being scheduled to attend in person. He said he had gone to urgent care in Dallas and was "most contagious". His last in-person public event in Texas was on Sept. 26. He then attended a New York fundraiser with actor Robert De Niro, dated Sept. 28 by Newsweek and the New York Post and Sept. 29 by NBC News. ABC News reported that Talarico has Type 1 diabetes, which could complicate his recovery. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
Campaign spokesperson JT Ennis told Fox News that Talarico "came down with the flu but will be back on the trail this weekend", while ABC News reported the campaign had promised only that he would be back "soon". Talarico is scheduled to appear at a CNN town hall on Oct. 14. NBC News quoted a Texas Democrat involved in the race as saying, "we don't want this right now", and the New York Post reported leaked Slack messages in which volunteers worried about him losing momentum. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 , 11 ]
Why it matters
The Associated Press reported that some Republicans worry Paxton may become the first Republican in nearly four decades to lose a Senate race in Texas, and Newsweek said Talarico holds a narrow polling lead in a race that could decide control of the Senate. The absence comes less than four weeks before Election Day, and Paxton has yet to agree to a debate, Newsweek reported.
Key facts
- Talarico disclosed a flu diagnosis on Sept. 30 while joining a U.S. Hispanic Business Council event by video. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Talarico's last in-person public event in Texas was on Sept. 26. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- Paxton led a crowd in chanting "Where is James Talarico?" at a rally with Trump in San Antonio on Wednesday. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- Trump said on social media that Talarico "should immediately report to a Debate Stage" to face Paxton. [ 9 , 10 ]
- Talarico posted: "President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate. I agree." [ 9 , 10 ]
- No debate has been scheduled and Paxton has not publicly responded to Trump's debate demand, according to the AP. [ 9 , 10 ]
- Campaign spokesperson JT Ennis said Talarico is expected back on the trail this weekend. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Talarico is scheduled to take part in a CNN town hall on Oct. 14. [ 1 , 11 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Talarico was diagnosed with the flu and disclosed it on Sept. 30 at a U.S. Hispanic Business Council event he joined virtually. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Paxton led a "Where is James Talarico?" chant at a rally with Trump in San Antonio. [ 2 , 5 , 7 , 9 ]
- Trump described Talarico as "MISSING IN ACTION" on Truth Social. [ 3 , 5 ]
- Talarico's last in-person public event in Texas was on Sept. 26. [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 11 ]
- Talarico has Type 1 diabetes. [ 7 , 11 ]
Still unclear
- How long Talarico has been off the trail. Fox News and The Hill cited 11 days, while CNN, NBC News, Newsweek and the New York Post said 12 days.
- When Talarico will return to in-person campaigning. His spokesperson told Fox News and CNN he would be back this weekend, but ABC News reported the campaign had not said when he would resume in-person events and had promised only "soon".
- The date of Talarico's New York fundraiser with Robert De Niro. Newsweek and the New York Post said Sept. 28, as did a Paxton attack ad cited by The Hill, while NBC News said Sept. 29.
- Whether the flu alone explains the length of the absence. Trump and Paxton allies have cast doubt on the explanation, while the campaign insists the diagnosis is real.
- Trump's claim that Talarico became sick from eating meat for political reasons. Fox News said Trump made the suggestion without evidence.
- Whether Paxton will agree to a debate. The Washington Post reported Paxton has repeatedly rebuffed calls to debate, and the AP said he had not publicly responded to Trump's demand.
- Talarico publicly challenged Paxton in July to three televised debates, and no debate has been scheduled. Reported only in the Associated Press story, also carried by The Seattle Times.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Oct. 7: The Hill reports Talarico has stepped off the campaign trail with the flu as Paxton launches attack ads over his absence. [ 1 ]
- Oct. 7: Fox News reports Paxton questioned Talarico's absence at Trump's rally in San Antonio and the campaign's response. [ 2 ]
- Oct. 8: The Hill reports Trump's Truth Social post calling Talarico "MISSING IN ACTION". [ 3 ]
- Oct. 8: The Washington Post reports Trump has called for a Paxton-Talarico debate. [ 4 ]
- Oct. 8: The AP reports Talarico said "I agree" in reply to Trump's debate call. [ 9 ]