Ken Paxton and Influencers Claim James Talarico Faked Flu

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and MAGA influencers challenged the claims of Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, who missed 12 days of campaigning due to the flu. Paxton dismissed Talarico's diagnosis, asserting that almost everything the candidate has said since the campaign began is false and claiming Talarico lacks accomplishments as a state representative.

Parallel to Paxton's criticism, influencer Nick Sortor promoted a theory that Talarico was secretly treated at the Lindner Center of Hope, a mental health facility in Ohio. Sortor shared audio allegedly from a facility employee to claim Talarico's flu diagnosis was a lie. However, the Lindner Center of Hope confirmed on X that Talarico had never received treatment at the facility.

Talarico's spokesperson, JT Ennis, characterized the hospitalization claims as a lie designed to promote a conspiracy theory, stating Talarico was recovering at home in Austin. Reports later indicated the audio shared by Sortor was AI-generated. Former President Donald Trump also commented on the situation during a speech in Tennessee, suggesting Talarico may have contracted a new form of the virus that causes prolonged illness.