Skip to main content
6 min read
◆ Mixed look for TrumpElections / Campaigns

Ken Paxton Trolls Talarico with 'Missing' Posters After 12-Day Flu Absence

Trump used Talarico’s illness as a subject of campaign attacks at a rally and in social media posts.

Ken Paxton Trolls Talarico with 'Missing' Posters After 12-Day Flu Absence
Image · Newsweek

SOURCE CHECK

TAP FOR WHY
Outlet credibilityNewsweek75/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 9, 2026
Newsweek
Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

Ken Paxton’s Senate campaign circulated missing-person-style posters targeting James Talarico, who had been away from in-person events after contracting the flu. The article also details attacks from Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, Paxton’s lack of agreement to debate, and polling that shows a close Texas Senate race.

Community verdict

19 VOTES
How does this story look for
Donald Trump R · President of the United States

Counts every outlet’s report of this story. See all 9

● OPEN
Votes cast on this page

Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0

People in this story

SWIPE →
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who repeated attacks on Talarico at a rally and on social media.

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Texas Senate candidate targeted over his illness-related absence and seeking a debate with Paxton.

Talarico's version of this story ↗
Ken Paxton
R · TX

Texas Senate candidate whose campaign publicized missing-person-style posters targeting his opponent.

Paxton's version of this story ↗
Ted Cruz
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who shared a meme targeting Talarico and has criticized his campaign.

Sherrod Brown
Former U.S. Senator (D-OH)

Ohio Senate nominee who shared a fundraiser with Talarico.

Beto O'Rourke
Former U.S. Representative (D-TX)

Former Texas Senate candidate used as a comparison for Talarico’s polling.

John Cornyn
R · TX · SEN

Texas senator who lost the Republican runoff to Paxton.

ALSO MENTIONED  Greg Abbott, Texas governor who hosted a radio show on which Cruz called in.

Part of a bigger story

9 OUTLETS
Trump Stands by Ken Paxton Endorsement After Leaked Audio

Outlets report that Trump reaffirmed his endorsement of Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton after recordings of Paxton’s comments surfaced. The coverage also describes Republican concerns about Paxton’s campaign. Left-leaning outlets emphasize Republican frustration over the audio, while two also focus on Trump’s separate attacks on Abdul El-Sayed. Center outlets focus on Trump’s continued support and the recordings’ political fallout. Right-leaning outlets portray Trump’s backing as justified and the recordings as an effort to divide him from Paxton.

Discussion · 0

What's your take?

Loading comments…