Texas candidate James Talarico misses a week on the campaign trail. Then he addresses MAGA rumors he allegedly had a mental breakdown

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, spoke with NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth reporter Phil Prazan on Sunday after returning from more than a week away from the trail. His campaign had attributed the absence to the flu. Talarico confirmed that account while responding to separate claims circulating online.

Prazan asked Talarico about the reported illness. Talarico said, “Yeah, I got the flu and I’m feeling much better and I’m glad I had a chance to recover.” He added that taking time to get well can stop someone from becoming sicker and that he was glad the campaign chose to take the week so he could recover. He said he was glad to be back on the trail.

Talarico has previously discussed having diabetes, and Prazan noted that the flu can become more serious in those cases. Talarico said he visited his primary care physician and that the illness “wasn’t anything worse than a, you know, nasty case of the flu.” He described spending time in bed, drinking lots of liquids, and continuing some work from home because the campaign still needed him.

Talarico rejects online treatment claims while pressing for a debate

Conservative accounts on Twitter and some allies of Attorney General Ken Paxton had suggested Talarico experienced a stress-induced episode and received treatment for it. The flu claim drew public attention, including when Ken Paxton mocked his sick opponent at a San Antonio rally and Trump posted about it from Air Force One.

Prazan asked whether that occurred. Talarico replied, “That’s not true.” He stated, “I just had the flu and I feel much better. But it’s a good reminder that you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.”

When Prazan noted that people online appeared invested in the situation, Talarico joked, “I’m sure it’s cause they care so much about me.”

He said he stayed off the trail so he would not get others sick and that leaders should act responsibly in such moments. He added that he was feeling much better upon his return.

Earlier the same day, MAGA influencer Nick Sortor posted on X that Talarico had been receiving treatment at the Lindner Center of Hope near Cincinnati, Ohio, during the period he said he had the flu. The facility later stated that Talarico has “never received treatment” there.

Prazan also raised comments from President Trump, who said Talarico and Paxton should debate and that Paxton is ready, willing, and able. Talarico has pressed for a debate repeatedly, such as when he called Ken Paxton to challenge him and the call went straight to voicemail.

Talarico said, “I agree with President Trump, I think Ken Paxton should debate.” He noted that the president, Fox News, and people in Texas have called for a debate, and he described it as mysterious that Paxton has not responded to a request for one in 85 days.

Talarico said he has heard people express concern about the attorney general and added, “I’ve heard rumors that he has a rare medical condition that causes clinical levels of cowardice.” He continued, “So, I know Ken Paxton has asked for proof of life for me. I’m asking for proof of spine from him.”