Talarico Campaign Debunks Rehab Rumor With Security Footage, Faces Scrutiny Over Delayed Release

New evidence has emerged to debunk a viral rumor that Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico secretly sought treatment at an Ohio behavioral health center during his recent campaign absence. The New York Times reported Monday that it reviewed time-stamped security camera images provided by Talarico's campaign, showing the candidate at his Austin home between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.

During this nine-day period, Talarico's absence from the campaign trail fueled significant speculation online. The security footage, which the campaign shared with the Times on the condition it not be published for security reasons, offers independent confirmation of Talarico's account that he was home recovering from the flu. This contradicts claims that he traveled over 1,000 miles for treatment.

However, the revelation has also prompted criticism. Some observers question why Talarico's campaign did not release verifiable evidence sooner to quash the unsubstantiated theory before it gained traction and was amplified by prominent conservatives.

"In October of an election year, every day and every hour count as candidates do everything they can to meet with voters," GOP strategist Mark Bednar told Fox News Digital. "So if you are out of commission for any extent of time, it's easy for voters to wonder what's going on. That being said, if there's a simple explanation like an illness, it's even easier to just prove that outright to voters. If the flu was really the case with Talarico, it's mind-numbing malpractice that his campaign didn't quickly and easily demonstrate that."

Investigative reporter Chuck Ross of the Washington Free Beacon pointed out on X that the footage "could have been released a week ago and quashed the rumors."

Talarico's campaign had consistently stated he was recovering from the flu. He appeared virtually at an event on Sept. 30, visibly ill, and informed attendees of his condition. However, his extended absence from in-person campaigning as Election Day approached increasingly became a subject of online discussion. The speculation intensified after Talarico's campaign reposted footage from a February rally on Oct. 3 without initially clarifying it was an older video, a practice the campaign told the Times is routine.

"Let’s be fair here. You’re 20 days out from Election Day, and you’re running for senate in one of the biggest states in the country. Use tech to connect: direct to camera videos, do a livestream. To just go dark is malpractice," said Matt Gorman, chief communications officer at Targeted Victory. "You’re running for senate not some cubicle dweller."

When given an opportunity to respond to the criticism and provide an update following The New York Times' reporting, Talarico's campaign reiterated its earlier statement. "This is a conspiracy theory that has been proven false. James is excited to be back on the campaign trail after recovering from the flu," campaign spokesperson JT Ennis told Fox News Digital. Ennis then shifted focus to Talarico's Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, stating, "It's been 87 days since James challenged Ken Paxton to come out of hiding and answer Texans' questions in a debate, which even President Trump called on him to do. Ball is in Paxton's court."