Trump Mocks Talarico in Texas Senate Campaign

At campaign rallies in Corpus Christi and Lubbock for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton, President Donald Trump attacked Democratic rival James Talarico over transgender rights, guns, oil and meat, and made misleading claims about Talarico’s views and recent illness. Trump claimed Talarico believed Jesus would support gender-transition procedures, though Talarico’s cited remark said Jesus would bless bullied transgender children. Trump also mocked an unfounded rumor that Talarico was secretly vegan by acting out an exaggerated scene of him trying to eat meat, drawing widespread online ridicule. The rallies came as Paxton trailed or was tied with Talarico in several polls ahead of the midterms. Trump also revisited comments about examining Republican Senator Jon Husted’s physique, renewing commentary about his focus on male politicians’ bodies.