Trump Demands Talarico Debate Ken Paxton — Who Has Been Ducking Debates: ‘Immediately Report’ to Stage!

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

President Donald Trump taunted Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico (TX) in a late-night rant on Wednesday, calling him “MISSING IN ACTION” and demanding he show up publicly to debate Ken Paxton (R), who has notably been ducking such events.

Posting to his Truth Social account just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday night, Trump demanded Talarico (calling him “TalaFREAKo”) reveal himself, and engage Paxton in a debate.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION! No one has seen him for an extended period of time. Where is he? What is wrong with him? Bad rumors are coming out. He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able, one of the best Attorney Generals in the Country, and will soon be, hopefully, a United States Senator representing the Great People of Texas! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

It’s unclear what “bad rumors” Trump is referring to, but it’s been widely reported that Talarico has come down with the flu and is taking time away from the campaign to recover.

Paxton’s campaign seized on the absence in a statement.

“James Talarico is asking Texans for their vote, but he can’t even be bothered to show up. The contrast couldn’t be more clear. Ken Paxton works for Texans every single day, while Talarico hides from voters and only Texans deserve to know: Where is James Talarico?” the campaign’s statement read.

But as far as a debate is concerned, Paxton has been noticeably noncommittal.

Talarico has been publicly calling Paxton to the debate stage for weeks, even offering to have it on Fox News and moderated by chief political anchor Bret Baier.

“Debates best serve voters and the democratic process when both candidates participate and voters have the opportunity to compare positions on the issues,” Fox said in a statement to Mediaite. “We will move forward with the debate if both candidates commit to appearing.”

Trump’s post came hours after the president was asked in the Oval Office if he regrets throwing his support behind Paxton, a scandal-plagued candidate who is now the subject of three damning leaked audio stories.

“No, no, no,” Trump said at a Trump accounts event at the White House on Wednesday. “Not at all. He was a great attorney general. I think he’ll be a great senator. Ken Paxton was the best, or certainly one of the few best, but the best attorney general in the whole country. And no, I would have no regrets at all.”

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