BS BULLETIN:
- President Donald Trump mocked Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico at a White House Rose Garden dinner Wednesday, claiming Talarico eats meat and then “throws up all over the place.”
- The attack appears tied to conservative criticism of Talarico over an older video in which he argued that reducing meat consumption is an “existential” issue. Talarico has pushed back against claims that he is vegan.
- Trump also backed Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton — while simultaneously criticizing Paxton’s clothes, appearance and television interviews.
President Donald Trump has found an unusual new line of attack in the Texas Senate race.
Barbecue.
Speaking to Republican lawmakers during a White House Rose Garden dinner Wednesday night, Trump turned his attention to Democratic Senate candidate and Texas state Rep. James Talarico.
Trump called Talarico “radical left” before raising a subject that apparently matters greatly in Texas politics: whether the Democrat eats meat.
“Now he says he loves meat,” Trump said.
Then came the presidential theory.
“You know what he does? He eats meat, and he goes outside, and he throws up all over the place,” Trump said.
Why?
“Because in Texas, if you don’t eat meat, you’re in deep trouble,” Trump continued. “It’s not a good thing not to be able to eat meat.”
The meat attack didn’t materialize completely out of nowhere.
Conservatives have hammered Talarico over a resurfaced video in which he discussed reducing meat consumption, describing the issue as “existential.”
Talarico has rejected claims that he is vegan, and his campaign attempted to put the matter to rest months ago by posting a photo of the candidate eating barbecue.
Apparently, Trump remains unconvinced.
The president also took another shot at Talarico by using a mocking nickname for him before turning to the Democrat’s Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
That endorsement was considerably more complicated.
Trump praised Paxton’s performance as attorney general while simultaneously offering an inventory of things voters might not like about him.
“You might not like the way he dresses,” Trump said.
“You might not like the way he looks. You might not love his look. You might not love his television interviews.”
Trump then argued that none of that mattered because Paxton “was one of the best” attorneys general in the country.
The comments come as the Texas Senate contest attracts increasing national attention.
Talarico has emerged as a formidable fundraiser, while Republicans have raised concerns about Paxton’s campaign operation and resources heading toward November. Former Sen. John Cornyn, whom Paxton defeated after Trump backed Paxton in the Republican primary, recently said he doesn’t intend to campaign for his former rival.
For the moment, however, Trump appears focused on a different vulnerability.
Whether Talarico can keep down a steak.
MY QUICK TAKE
Only in 2026 could a U.S. Senate race potentially hinge on whether a candidate can survive a brisket.
Trump managed to attack Talarico’s diet and Paxton’s wardrobe while ostensibly helping Paxton.
Texas politics remains undefeated.
