Fox News co-host Emily Compagno has drawn criticism for characterizing James Talarico, a Democratic candidate for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, as "a demon in human skin." Compagno also falsely claimed Talarico opposes meat consumption, an assertion Talarico's campaign refuted.
Talarico, a member of the Texas House of Representatives and a Presbyterian seminarian, has been the target of increasingly heated rhetoric as his race against Republican rival Ken Paxton, the current Texas Attorney General, tightens. Recent polling, including a New York Times/Siena poll, indicates a dead heat in the contest.
Paxton himself has engaged in sharp attacks, with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stating Talarico "is going to hell" for "blasphemy." A pro-Paxton group has also deployed an AI-generated advertisement against Talarico. Former President Donald Trump has also publicly criticized Talarico, underscoring the race's significance for the Republican party.
Compagno's specific claim that Talarico "doesn't want anyone to eat meat" was directly contradicted by Talarico, who stated in May, "I’ve been eating barbecue since before Ken Paxton’s first indictment." Paxton's legal history includes an indictment on three felony counts for fraud, a settlement involving restitution and community service, and acquittal by the state Senate on 16 articles of impeachment.
Critics on social media widely condemned Compagno's language. Many pointed to the inflammatory nature of calling a political opponent a "demon," particularly in the current political climate, with some suggesting such rhetoric could incite violence. The criticism highlights a broader debate about the tone and content of political discourse, especially in closely contested races.