MAGA world and Megyn Kelly refuse to let go of debunked James Talarico conspiracy theory

MAGA influencers and other prominent rightwing figures are refusing to let go of a conspiracy theory that Democratic candidate James Talarico received treatment at a mental health facility during his nine-day absence from the campaign trail — despite the facility’s denial and his explanation that he had a “nasty case of the flu.”The speculation began after Talarico, who is running for U.S. Senate in Texas, stepped away from public events late last month. He had appeared virtually at a September 30 forum where he told supporters he was feeling unwell. He resumed in-person campaigning Friday.His absence ignited conspiracy theories in MAGA world. On Sunday, right-wing influencer Nick Sortor claimed Talarico had been treated at the Lindner Center of Hope, a mental health facility in Ohio. As apparent evidence, Sortor posted a 47-second audio clip of an unidentified woman stating the Democrat had been discharged from the center. News outlet The Bulwark later reported it had obtained a six-minute clip, in which a facility employee denied that anyone named James Talarico had been treated there. After repeated questions, she concluded that he must have been discharged and that this accounted for the absence of any record of him.Hours later, the Ohio facility issued a denial on X. “Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope,” the facility wrote.The speculation began after Talarico — the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas — stepped away from the campaign trail late last month (AFP via Getty Images)While some MAGA figures appear to have deleted posts about Talarico, several continued to push the conspiracy. Sortor claimed he would release additional audio from the center Monday. Right-wing podcaster Megyn Kelly also had additional questions Sunday. “Was the facility operator who said he had been there mistaken? Will you allow her to speak publicly?” she asked on X. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on X Monday: “The Freako campaign still has yet to explain where he was for 2 weeks.”Talarico supporters accused MAGA commentators of pushing a debunked conspiracy theory.“Megyn Kelly is now interrogating a mental health facility because its official statement doesn't match the gossip she wanted to be true,” progressive commentator Alex Cole wrote. “Incredible journalism.”President Donald Trump has also questioned Talarico’s explanation for his absence, telling supporters Saturday: “I don't think it was the flu.” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP candidate running against Talarico, jumped on the bandwagon on Fox News Sunday. “The big story is: two weeks is a long time to be away with the flu, and it’s just a very strange time to disappear,” Paxton said.Talarico, a Presbyterian seminarian, pushed back Sunday, writing on X: “I’ve never even been to Ohio” with a laughing emoji. In an interview with NBC News earlier that day, he said he had stayed home to recover from the flu.“I just went to my primary care physician, but it wasn’t anything worse than, you know, a nasty case of the flu,” the Democrat said.On Sunday evening, right-wing podcaster Megyn Kelly asked the Ohio facility to clarify again whether Talarico had been there in the past nine days (The Megyn Kelly Show, YouTube)“I was in bed and, you know, drinking like lots of liquids,” he said. “Unfortunately the campaign made me work from home, so I didn’t even get full days off, but, you know, I didn’t want to be out on the trail and didn’t want to get anyone else sick. It’s important, I think for leaders to be responsible in these moments, and I’m glad to be back. Feeling much better.” Talarico rejected right-wing claims that he had experienced a “stressed induced episode” and was “getting treatment for it.”“That’s not true,” Talarico told NBC News. “I just had the flu, and I feel much better. But it’s a good reminder that you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.”When asked about Trump’s call for Paxton and Talarico to debate before the November election, the Democrat turned the discussion back to his opponent, joking about his “medical condition.”“I think its mysterious that Ken Paxton hasn’t responded to a request for a debate in 85 days. I hear that people are getting really concerned about the attorney general and, you know, I’ve heard rumors that he has a rare medical condition that causes clinical levels of cowardice,” Talarico quipped. “So, I know Ken Paxton has asked for proof of life for me. I’m asking for proof of spine from him.”On Sunday, Paxton said he had spent months trying to arrange a debate but had been unable to reach an agreement “because [Talarico] always wants something we can’t do.”The two men will face off at the ballot box November 3 in one of the country’s most closely-watched Senate races. Recent polling suggests a tight contest: A UMass Lowell survey last week showed them tied at 45 percent, with 7 percent of voters undecided.