Donald Trump held a rally at Port of Corpus Christi on Oct. 27 while campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton. Trump performed a mocking barbecue impression of Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, describing him getting sick, and offered no evidence for the scenario. Talarico's campaign says he is not and has never been vegan. In September, Talarico said he had flu and cancelled some campaign events.
Talarico's campaign Talarico ate chicken, steak and turkey leg; he reduced meat consumption in 2022 as part of local business buying efforts.1
Where the sources disagree
Whether Trump's impression rested on evidence Trump offered no evidence for the scenario [1]; the impression rested on a disputed premise that Talarico is vegan [1]
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
'I Love the Meat!' Trump Mocks James Talarico With Barbecue Impression at Texas Rally
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.
Federal spending on the 2026 midterm elections is projected to reach $11.9 billion, surpassing 2022 midterm spending of $8.9 billion. Outside spending by super PACs and dark money is expected to reach $3.9 billion, an 85% increase from $2 billion in 2022.
$$11.9 billion for total projected spending on 2026 midterm elections
OpenSecrets, nonpartisan research group analyzing Federal Election Commission disclosure data; Senate Leadership Fund, Republican-affiliated super PAC; MAGA Inc., super PAC linked to President Donald Trump and 5 more
Glen Maxey, Texas's first openly gay legislator, helped Democrat James Talarico win his 2018 state House race by flagging unregistered voters in Talarico's Williamson County district and sending them prefilled registration forms. Talarico now faces Republican Ken Paxton in a U.S. Senate race on November 3.
Glen Maxey, Texas's first openly gay legislator; helped with Talarico's 2018 campaign; James Talarico, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate; won 2018 House race with Maxey's help; Ken Paxton, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate and 4 more
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton held a campaign rally in Fort Worth on Saturday as part of his U.S. Senate race against Democrat James Talarico. Supporters were bused in from rural counties including Wise and Jack counties.
Ken Paxton, Republican attorney general and U.S. Senate nominee; James Talarico, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate; JD Enright, Paxton supporter who paid for bus from Runaway Bay
As Election Day approaches, Texas voters said immigration is a key issue motivating them to vote early. Some expressed concern about deportations under the Trump administration, while others cited concerns about illegal immigration.
The 2026 midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3, with voters casting ballots for all 435 House seats, 35 Senate races, and governor positions in 39 states. CBS News will provide live coverage of results and analysis across multiple platforms beginning after polls close.
CBS News, broadcaster providing election coverage; Tony Dokoupil, anchor; Norah O'Donnell, anchor and 3 more
Texas Secretary of State Robert Howden announced the state has 19 million registered voters, a record number. As of October 23, more than 2.7 million Texans had voted early, with early voting ending October 30.
$$150 million for spending supporting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Robert Howden, Texas Secretary of State; Greg Abbott, Governor, Republican, seeking fourth term; Gina Hinojosa, Democrat, Austin state representative, candidate for governor and 3 more
Texas voters cast a record 7.4 million early ballots in person and by mail for the 2026 midterm elections as of Friday, Oct. 30. This surpasses the 5.5 million early votes in 2022 and 4.9 million in 2018.
Texas Secretary of State's office, reported voting data
Rio Grande Valley voters are reconsidering their political allegiances ahead of the 2026 election, citing economic hardship as their primary concern. Trump won 14 of 18 border counties in 2024, but some voters who supported him then cite tariffs and rising costs as reasons to reconsider.
Jesus Robles, mechanical bull business owner in Rio Grande Valley; Vicente Gonzalez, Democratic U.S. Representative; Henry Cuellar, Democratic U.S. Representative and 5 more