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Pro-Paxton super PAC uses AI robocalls to attack Talarico on data centers

Lone Star Liberty, a super PAC supporting Republican Ken Paxton, launched an AI-powered robocall campaign in Texas attacking Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico over alleged donations from data center interests. The calls feature an AI-generated voice named "Jennifer" that interacts with voters in real time.

Where
Statewide
When
October 23, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Taxes and money

The sources don't state an effect on taxes. They do state these figures.

  • Super PAC donation$10 million2 Who pays or receives it: Elon Musk
  • Super PAC donation to pro-Talarico groups$10 million2 Who pays or receives it: Reid Hoffman
  • Alleged donations from data center interests$11 million2 Who pays or receives it: data center industry donors to pro-Talarico groups

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Lone Star Libertypro-Ken Paxton super PAC conducting robocall campaign
  • Ken PaxtonRepublican Senate candidate
  • James TalaricoDemocratic Senate candidate being attacked
  • Elon Musksuper PAC donor
  • Gregg Kellerspokesperson for Lone Star Liberty
  • Talarico campaignresponded to robocalls
  • Reid Hoffmantech billionaire and data center industry donor

The facts

  • AI robocalls were first detected October 23, originating from dozens of phone numbers.2
  • Lone Star Liberty received $10 million from Elon Musk.2
  • Reid Hoffman contributed $10 million to a super PAC supporting Talarico this cycle.2
  • The AI-generated robocall system is designed to interact with voters in real time.2
  • Data centers have become a political target in the 2026 election cycle.2

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Lone Star Liberty robocalls Talarico took $11 million from data center special interests.2
  • Gregg Keller, Lone Star Liberty spokesperson The group was using every tool available to inform Texas voters of criticisms of Talarico.2
  • Talarico campaign Paxton can't get humans to make calls for him, so Musk is creating AI robots to spread lies.2
  • Nate Persily, Stanford Law School AI robocalls likely don't impact political races since people rarely pick up phones.2

Where the sources disagree

  • Amount of data center donations to Talarico-supporting groups $11 million per Lone Star Liberty robocall [2]

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

  • Hyperscale AI growth drives scramble for data center power

    ET Datacenters

  • AI-powered robocalls attack Talarico on data centers

    CNN

  • AI robocalls attack Talarico on data centers

    CNN

  • Talarico criticizes AI-powered robocall push

    CNN, WKYC

Sources

Outlets: 1 left-leaning, 1 not rated Only left-leaning outlets reported this Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Hyperscale AI growth drives scramble for data center power ET Datacenters Not rated, October 27, 2026
  2. AI-powered robocalls attack Talarico on data centers CNN Lean Left, October 29, 2026

Also reported by WKYC.

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Texas voters elect new attorney general for first time since 2015

Texas voters are choosing a new attorney general on November 3, 2026, the first time since Ken Paxton took office in 2015. Republican Mayes Middleton, Democrat Nathan Johnson, and Libertarian Tom Oxford are running for the statewide office.

Mayes Middleton, Republican candidate for Texas attorney general; Nathan Johnson, Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general; Tom Oxford, Libertarian candidate for Texas attorney general and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas Democrats forecast Hispanic voter shift toward party in 2026 races

Democratic strategists and candidates say Hispanic voters, who shifted toward Trump in 2024, may swing back to Democrats in Texas' competitive Senate, House and governor races due to concerns about the economy and Trump administration immigration policies.

Chuck Rocha, Democratic strategist and CBS News political contributor advising Democratic Senate and gubernatorial candidates in Texas; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for Texas governor; James Talarico, Democratic Senate candidate and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

UT Austin police seek person of interest after fire alarms disrupt voting

Two fire alarms were activated at the Texas Union polling location at UT Austin on Election Day, briefly interrupting voting. Police are seeking a person of interest identified by witnesses and believe the individual is not affiliated with the university.

UT Austin Police Department, investigating the incidents; University of Texas at Austin, operating polling location at Texas Union

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas Senate candidate Talarico says he'd work with Trump on some policies

James Talarico, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas running against Attorney General Ken Paxton, said in a podcast released Monday that he would work with President Donald Trump on healthcare, childcare, and housing. Trump has frequently mocked and criticized Talarico on social media and campaigned for Paxton.

James Talarico, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas; Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General, Republican opponent in U.S. Senate race; Donald Trump, President and 2 more

Reported by 3 outletsFound via Google News

San Antonio attorney Thomas J. Henry donates $2 million to Talarico and Hinojosa

San Antonio personal injury attorney Thomas J. Henry donated $2 million to support Democratic candidates James Talarico for U.S. Senate and Gina Hinojosa for Texas governor. The donation represents a shift from Henry's previous support for Republican Ken Paxton.

$1 million for donation to Lone Star Rising PAC for Talarico

Thomas J. Henry, San Antonio personal injury attorney; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Dallas Morning News publishes undisclosed op-ed by Democratic campaign consultant

The Dallas Morning News published an op-ed by Suzanne Bellsnyder on October 31 titled "I'm a Republican, but Gina Hinojosa has my vote." The newspaper later added an editor's note disclosing that Bellsnyder is a paid consultant for the Hinojosa campaign and that this conflict was not disclosed before publication. The newspaper stated it would have declined to publish had it known of the conflict.

at least $57,000 for consulting services

Dallas Morning News, published the op-ed and later added editor's note; Suzanne Bellsnyder, author of op-ed; Gina Hinojosa, Democratic candidate for Texas governor; consultant's client

Reported by 2 outletsOnly left-leaning outlets reported thisFound via Google News

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