Texas Democratic candidate James Talarico takes 9 days off for the flu. Then he opens social media to find a rumor that he died: ‘This is crazy!’

James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas, has addressed online claims that circulated while he was away from public campaign events. The theories included the idea that he had died.

His absence lasted nine days. Campaign staff said he had the flu and chose to remain at home. During that stretch, posts on right-wing social media suggested he had quietly entered a psychiatric facility in Ohio.

Those claims did not hold up. The campaign later shared time-stamped security footage with The New York Times. The video placed Talarico at his house in Austin throughout the period he was off the trail.

Candidate responds to online claims during town hall event

The topic came up at a CNN and Jubilee Town Hall held on Wednesday. CNN had also reached out to Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general and the Republican candidate in the race. Paxton did not reply to the invitation. He had earlier mocked his sick opponent at a rally.

Host Erin Burnett brought up the speculation about Talarico’s location. According to Mediaite, she called the claims “wild” and asked him directly, “Was the flu the only reason you were out?”

Talarico confirmed that it was. He answered, “Yes,” and laughed as he spoke. Burnett then asked whether he would handle the nine days differently if he could go back.

He said he would not. “No,” Talarico replied. He explained his reasoning by noting that staying home is the right step when someone has the flu so they do not pass it to others, and that he continued working from his house during that time.

The decision still triggered a wave of online posts, he said. “But you’re right. I mean, that decision to stay home for a week sent my opponent and his conspiracy theorists spiraling. I opened up social media and learned that I apparently had dropped out of the race, had flown to a mental hospital in Ohio, that I had died. This is crazy!”

Talarico pointed out that the incorrect claims reached millions of views. He called the episode an example of what he terms the rage economy, in which people can put any statement online and generate clicks. He said the owners of the platforms make money while the public grows angry, yet no one’s practical situation improves.

“Conspiracy theories don’t put food on the table. They don’t put gas in the tank. They don’t actually improve our communities or improve our country, and so I’m gonna stay focused on the very real problems that are facing Texans,” he said.