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▼ Bad look for PaxtonElections / Campaigns

In attacking Talarico for campaign absence, Trump calls for debate that Paxton has avoided

Paxton criticized Talarico’s absence at a rally but had not accepted the debate invitations Talarico had agreed to.

In attacking Talarico for campaign absence, Trump calls for debate that Paxton has avoided
Image · Texas Tribune

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Outlet credibilityTexas Tribune80/100 HIGH
This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
tl;dr

At a San Antonio rally, Donald Trump and Ken Paxton criticized James Talarico for missing campaign events while Talarico was ill. Trump called for a debate, drawing attention to Paxton’s failure to accept debate invitations.

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How does this story look for
Ken Paxton R · TX
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Ken Paxton
R · TX

Republican Senate candidate criticized for not accepting debate invitations

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President who attacked Talarico at a rally and called for him to debate Paxton

Trump's version of this story ↗

Democratic Senate candidate criticized for his campaign absence and challenging Ken Paxton to debate

Talarico's version of this story ↗

Part of a bigger story

17 OUTLETS
Ken Paxton Criticizes James Talarico Over Campaign Absence

Ken Paxton criticized James Talarico over his absence from in-person campaign events; Talarico’s campaign attributed the absence to flu. Center outlets often pair the criticism with Paxton’s unanswered or unaccepted debate invitations. Right-leaning outlets emphasize Paxton and Trump’s public pressure and mockery over Talarico’s absence.

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