Ken Paxton uses a flu to hide his own refusal to debate
By Daniel Okafor · Reporting from New York ·
Ken Paxton used James Talarico's flu to suggest mental instability, but the attack only masks Paxton's own refusal to debate his opponent.
Ken Paxton and Donald Trump are wrong to treat a common virus as a political conspiracy. They have turned a bedridden candidate into a ghost to avoid a real conversation.
A virus is not a conspiracy
James Talarico was absent from the campaign trail. He said his absence was a “nasty case of the flu.” According to NBC News, Talarico's last in-person event in Texas was Sept. 26.
The facts are plain. The rumors are not. A right-wing influencer claimed Talarico received treatment at the Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio. The center denied this, posting that Talarico has never received treatment from them. Talarico returned to the trail. CNN said he worked from home via Zoom during his recovery. He said to NBC News he was “in bed, drinking lots of liquids.”
The mechanism of the lie
This is the 2016 United States presidential election. Both share the same mechanism: political opponents use unverified internet rumors to question a candidate's fitness and health. Talarico called this “silly season in our politics” in an interview with MS NOW.
Proof of spine
The noise serves a purpose. Ken Paxton called for Talarico to show “proof of life” with a photo and a newspaper. But Paxton will not show his own face on a debate stage. Talarico said Paxton has not responded to a debate request in 85 days. Talarico accepted invitations from multiple media outlets, but Paxton has not. He is scheduled for a town hall in Fort Worth hosted by CNN and Jubilee Media.
Paxton carries a record of instability. The Texas House impeached Paxton in May 2023, but the Texas Senate acquitted him in September 2023. Records show his security travel expenses cost $1.8 million. Donald Trump has a long history of promoting conspiracy theories. He posted that Talarico is “MISSING IN ACTION” on Truth Social. Talarico responded by asking for “proof of spine” from Paxton. He said Paxton has a “clinical level of cowardice.”
Paxton is not fighting a candidate. He is fighting a ghost he built from a flu. He uses the internet to avoid the stage. He hopes a rumor can hide his own fear. The facts show a man who avoids scrutiny. He is unfit for the Senate.