James Talarico Didn't Go to Ohio: Anatomy of a Fake Scandal (ft. Gwen Howerton)

“Where is James Talarico?” second-rate conservative activists and Nazi enthusiasts asked when the Democratic Texas Senate candidate took a short break from the campaign trail in October. Their uncoordinated right-wing rumors ultimately coalesced to a conspiracy theory claiming that James Talarico had checked into an Ohio mental health facility ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In reality, James Talarico was at home in Texas. He had the flu. Even a conservative news publisher criticized the conspiracy theory, calling it “sloppy.” This week, Houston-based Chron.com Texas culture reporter Gwen Howerton joins Katelyn and Christine in the final stretch to the 2026 midterms. Katelyn, Christine, and Gwen discuss how conservative provocateurs bungled the opportunity to smear James Talarico and the very real possibility that he’ll beat Republican Ken Paxton on Election Day. Cancel Me, Daddy is a progressive media criticism show hosted by journalists Katelyn Burns and Christine Grimaldi. New episodes every other week. Stream on our YouTube channel—remember to ring the bell! Listen via Apple or Spotify. Be sure to check out the merch store—Merch Me, Daddy! Links: - Grab a discounted bundle subscription to Katelyn’s and Christine’s newsletters at their TrustFnd collab! - Subscribe to Gwen Howerton’s newsletter, Y’all Heard? - Read Gwen Howerton’s reporting at Chron.com --Katelyn's Talarico YouTube video - Bayliss Wagner for The New York Times: Republicans Promoted a False Rumor That James Talarico Was in Ohio - Jason Wilson for The Guardian: Key player in false Talarico rumor has history of online posts invoking Nazi Germany - Keely Doll for the Louisville Courier Journal: Who is Nick Sortor? Influencer behind Talarico mental health rumors has KY ties - Allyson Ackerman for Chron.com: James Talarico breaks silence on conspiracy theories about his absence - Jeremy Wallace for the Houston Chronicle: Jasmine Crockett insists she's helping James Talarico in the best way possible See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.