Trump Calls James Talarico “Missing in Action,” Demands Debate With Paxton

Adriana Stone 0 2 min read

Trump Calls James Talarico “Missing in Action,” Demands Debate With Paxton

President Donald Trump is calling out Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico over his reported absence from the campaign trail and demanding that he face Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a debate.

The dispute comes after Talarico reportedly went nearly two weeks without appearing in Texas. The report says he had not been seen in the state for 11 days and had canceled events at home while traveling to New York for fundraising.

Paxton’s campaign released an ad criticizing Talarico for attending New York fundraisers, including a Robert De Niro fundraiser and a September 30 event at a gay bar. The report also said Talarico’s campaign claimed he had fallen ill, even as he attended fundraisers in New York.

Trump addressed the situation late Wednesday night and questioned where Talarico had gone. He wrote:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION!”

“No one has seen him for an extended period of time. Where is he? What is wrong with him?”

“Bad rumors are coming out. He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able, one of the best Attorney Generals in the Country, and will soon be, hopefully, a United States Senator representing the Great People of Texas!”

Trump’s message turned Talarico’s absence into a direct political challenge. He did not simply ask for an explanation; he demanded that Talarico show up on a debate stage against Paxton.

Talarico responded on X after Trump’s post. Instead of addressing questions about his campaign schedule, he agreed that Paxton should debate and redirected the challenge toward the Republican candidate.

“President Trump just said Ken Paxton should debate. I agree. Ball’s in your court.”

Talarico has accused Paxton of avoiding a debate. Paxton’s campaign, however, says it is prepared to take the stage. Senior adviser Nick Maddux told the Texas Tribune:

“Of course, we are going to debate James Talarico, and we look forward to engaging with potential debate hosts.”

“Talarico is a serial liar who has spent his entire campaign shamelessly deceiving Texas voters about his radical record with[out] answering the hard questions.”

Maddux also said a debate would give Texas voters the chance to hear Talarico answer for his liberal agenda. The campaign’s position is that Paxton is ready to participate, while Talarico’s latest response puts the responsibility back on Paxton to make the event happen.

That leaves both sides publicly backing a debate, but the political pressure remains on Talarico after his time away from Texas became the central issue. Trump is demanding that he appear. Talarico says Paxton now has to answer the call.

Send this to a friend