Fox News Blames James Talarico

Texas Democratic Senate candidate James TalaricoJames TalaricoCandidate for US Senate returned to campaigning after nine days off the trail recovering from the flu. During his absence, right-wing posters Rhein Amacher and Nick Sortor spread a claim that he had been treated at Lindner Center of Hope, a mental-health facility near Cincinnati. Fox News published and promoted coverage faulting Talarico’s campaign for not releasing verifiable evidence sooner, while saying the hospital rumor had been debunked. Talarico is running against Republican Attorney General Ken PaxtonKen PaxtonCandidate for US Senate in a close Texas Senate race. Talarico said staying home was responsible and blamed Paxton and conspiracy theorists. The clinic denied treating him, and security footage supported his account. Amacher later withdrew from an interview, citing legal concerns.