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● InformationalElections / Campaigns

Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn’t be happier

Paxton has not publicly responded to Trump’s demand for a debate, after his campaign earlier said he would debate Talarico.

Trump wants Talarico and Paxton to debate. Talarico couldn’t be happier
Image · KOB.com

SOURCE CHECK

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Outlet credibilityKOB.com80/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026

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Cites Associated Press

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Associated Press95/100 HIGH

346 stories · 94–95 · updated Oct 10, 2026

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KOB.comcites Associated Press
Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Donald Trump urged James Talarico to debate Ken Paxton, and Talarico publicly agreed. No debate has been scheduled, and Paxton has not publicly responded to Trump’s demand.

Community verdict

VOTING CLOSED
How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
NOT RATEDCLOSED

No good or bad look here

This story reports what happened without casting Paxton in a good or bad light, so readers don’t rate it and it doesn’t count toward Paxton’s record.

● INFORMATIONAL

People in this story

SWIPE →
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate urged to debate Talarico

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Democratic Senate candidate who agreed to debate Ken Paxton

Talarico's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who urged Talarico and Paxton to debate

Trump's version of this story ↗

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Criticizes James Talarico’s Campaign Absence

The coverage reports that James Talarico missed in-person campaign events while his campaign attributed his absence to the flu, and that Ken Paxton publicly criticized or questioned it. Center outlets often pair coverage of Paxton’s criticism with scrutiny of his own debate stance. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Republican pressure over Talarico’s absence, with some presenting the mockery playfully.

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