MAGA’s Conspiracy About Dem Star Dealt Humiliating Blow

Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspap / Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Wild MAGA conspiracy theories about Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico have taken a humiliating hit.

Talarico, 37, had been missing from the campaign trail after contracting the flu.

His opponent in Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, 63, and President Donald Trump, 80, have both repeatedly called out his absence.

The disappearance led to online conspiracy theories that Talarico may have been experiencing a mental health crisis, a theory exploited by Paxton’s team.

“Low-T Jimmy appears to be having a full-blown mental Tala-freak-out on the national stage,” Paxton campaign spokesperson Madison Cercy said in a statement Thursday obtained by the Texas Tribune .

“If James Talarico is too fragile to face Texans, he has no business asking for their vote.” On Sunday, MAGA influencer Nick Sortor fueled the flames, claiming on X , “Ohio mental hospital CONFIRMS James Talarico was discharged from the facility earlier this week,” adding that “the ‘flu’ thing was a BIG FAT LIE.” The X post, which was labeled “exclusive,” alleged Talarico had “been a patient at the Lindner Center of Hope near Cincinnati, Ohio.” He was referring to a mental health center and psychiatric hospital located in Mason, Ohio.

Sortor added, “While I sympathize with those dealing with mental health crises, this man is CLEARLY not suited to become a US Senator representing over 30 MILLION TEXANS.” MAGA figures, including billionaire Elon Musk, engaged with the post, while in the comments section Sortor suggested , “Maybe Trump called him Talafreako one too many times.” However, later on Sunday, the mental health facility set the record straight in a post on X , claiming, “Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope.” Talarico shared the post , adding, “I’ve never even been to Ohio” with the crying face emoji.

When contacted by the Daily Beast, Talarico’s spokesman JT Ennis pointed to his response to Sorter’s claims on X , “This is a lie designed to promote a pathetic conspiracy theory.

Last week James Talarico was home in Austin, Texas recovering from the flu.” The Daily Beast has contacted Sorter for comment.

He posted on X late on Sunday, “Sorry guys, I’ve caught the flu.

I’ll respond to your questions in 12-15 days (maybe),” referencing Talarico’s sick leave.

“James Talarico should resign and find a less stressful career,” he added.

The Democrat appeared at Austin City Limits on Friday and then the Kacey Musgraves concert in Dallas on Saturday.

Ennis shared footage of Talarico at the popular event in a post on X .