Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico called out his opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, for fueling conspiracy theories during his nine-day absence with the flu, saying he wouldn’t do anything different during a live town hall hosted by CNN on Wednesday night.
The Texas Democrat returned to the campaign trail last weekend after more than a week away with the flu, as conspiracy theories from right-wing activists spread like wildfire across social media. Talarico said staying home was the “responsible” decision, promptly responding “no” when asked whether he would have done anything differently.
CNN’s Erin Burnett put the question to Talarico right at the start of the program.
“That decision to stay home for a week sent my opponent and his conspiracy theorists spiraling,” Talarico said at the event in Fort Worth, Texas.
“I mean, these false claims got millions of views online, and this is an example of what I call the rage economy,” Talarico continued. “Conspiracy theorists can post anything they want on the internet. They get clicks. The billionaires who own these platforms get rich. We all get angry, and nobody’s life gets any better. Conspiracy theories don’t put food on the table.”
Talarico faced fierce criticism and mockery after stepping away from the campaign the trail following a Sept. 30 virtual call with the Hispanic Business Council, during which he disclosed that he had been diagnosed with the flu.
Paxton also criticized the Democrat’s absence on social media, while his campaign called for “proof of life.”
Meanwhile, conservative activists spread rumors last week that Talarico was struggling with his mental health and had secretly retreated to an Ohio hospital. The hospital in question denied that Talarico had ever been treated there. Talarico responded on social media that he’d never been to Ohio in his life.
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“I opened up social media and learned that I apparently had dropped out of the race, had flown to a mental hospital, and that I had died,” he said.
Talarico remains locked in a tight race with Paxton just days before early voting begins on Monday, with most polls showing the Democrat holding a slight edge.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
