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The Sign of Trouble for the James Talarico Campaign Is How the Press Collectively Joins in to Help

Brad Slager
Brad Slager  |  May 29, 2026
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Low-Octane Gaslighting – USA TODAY

  • Look, just because he said it is no reason for the GOP to suggest he meant it!

James Talarico is trying to fight back against the narrative that he is a vegan, something that is not exactly a selling point in cattle country, Texas. His campaign is pushing out images of him gnawing on a turkey leg as “proof,” and the press is doing its job to dutifully fight this back.

Small problem with this reframing of a con job – Talarico himself. Since USA Today asked the question, here is why Talarico is being called a vegan by Republicans: Because Talarico once declared that a former campaign was going to be vegan.

DNC PR Firm – THE BULWARK

  • Considering the flawed candidate, the flawed promotion seems apt.

Yesterday we covered how Tim Miller was thinking he helped out James Talarico’s campaign by combating the controversy of his claim that “God is non-binary” by appearing on stage with the candidate and crudely asking questions about God’s genitalia. It was not a glorious moment.

In less blasphemous, but no less ignorant fashion, another Bulwark-er tries to help out James with the vegan controversy. Andrew Egger arrives to explain to us rubes that Talarico is not a vegan; he only promoted that his campaign would be meatless, which is completely, totally, entirely different in the opposite fashion…somehow.

Of course, lost on Mr. Eggers is that this means Talarico was full of tofu when he made his pledge, a sign that he is willingly lying to pander for votes, but Eggers thinks he is helping, so we’ll let him continue.

Pounce of Prevention – PUCK NEWS

  • And yes, once again, the problem is with Republicans pointing out what Talarico has said.

Joining in on the concerted effort is Puck, with PR pimping for the problematic proselytizer from Plano (We aren’t sure he’s from there, but the alliteration was too good to pass up.) Puck found another issue that those dastardly GOPers have latched onto, requiring them to prop up the candidate.

It turns out those Republicans are “seizing” on Talarico's claims that there are six sexes (and they are doing so “gleefully,” which sounds even worse).

So once again, pointing out what Talarico says and declares as his position on issues is the problem here.

Legalized Press-titution – HOUSTON CHRONICLE

  • Do we need to help you folks define the words “stunning” and “coup”?

We report that one Texas newspaper has come out with its endorsement of Talarico’s campaign, the Houston Chronicle. We deliver this information with no fanfare because the announcement that this outlet is backing a Democrat is about as surprising as a Democrat announcing they want higher taxes.

But one Democrat source strains mightily to make this sound as if some sort of tectonic shift in news publishing has just taken place with this endorsement.

Matching Media Memorandum – CBS NEWS

  • Cleanup, on aisle TX!

Upon realizing that Ken Paxton has been running a strong initial opposition campaign by merely displaying Talarico’s own words, the candidate was ushered over to CBS News to speak with Ed O’Keefe and clear the record. He was allowed to sweep away all of his prior controversial comments, basically implying that it was wrong of Paxton to hold up Talarico’s own words that were on the record.

O’Keefe ushers the candidate through the minefield and brings up the “non-binary” quote from 2021, saying he wanted to give him a chance to respond. Talarico accuses Paxton of “intentionally clipping my cringey comments,” implying that it is somehow out of line.

The reality is, while Talarico did say that in 2021, he was STILL selling the “God is non-binary” talking point earlier this year. Only now is it something he attempts to diminish and walk back.