False claims spread that Democratic Senate nominee Talarico was in mental facility

Who's involved

• James TalaricoDemocratic Texas Senate nominee, Presbyterian pastor, Austin state representative
• Ken PaxtonRepublican Texas Attorney General, Senate candidate
• Michelle SmithSenior adviser to Ken Paxton
• Sara GonzalezConservative influencer
• Lindner Center of HopePrivate inpatient mental health facility in Ohio

The facts

• Talarico was absent from campaigning for nine days in October with the flu.⁵
• Talarico attended Dallas urgent care on September 29 with flu symptoms.⁵
• Conservative influencer Sara Gonzalez posted on X claiming unverified information about Talarico's whereabouts, reaching 5.7 million views.⁵
• Ken Paxton posted a fake WANTED poster of Talarico describing him as mentally fragile and prone to illness.⁵
• Lindner Center of Hope publicly stated Talarico had never received treatment there.⁵
• Talarico denied being treated for mental health issues or ever being in Ohio.^{2 3 5} Stated by 3 sources
• Talarico provided home security footage to the New York Times to prove his whereabouts.^{2 3} Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

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

• Michelle Smith, senior adviser to Paxton She was told by a friend that a doctor confirmed Talarico was admitted to a mental institution.^{2 3}
• Ken Paxton Alleged Talarico was having a mental breakdown.^{2 3}
• Conservative influencers Linked unrelated events to deduce Talarico was being treated out of state based on speculation.^{2 3}
• Democratic critics Republicans had Talarico Derangement Syndrome.⁴
• Samuel Woolley, University of Pittsburgh professor We have entered a time in politics where truth and reality don't seem to matter.^{2 3}