# Trump Calls for Talarico Debate After Illness

> Trump demands Talarico debate Paxton after Democrat's flu absence.
- Title: Trump Calls for Talarico Debate After Illness | Shortify
- Summary: Trump demands Talarico debate Paxton after Democrat's flu absence. Trump pressured James Talarico to debate Ken Paxton after Talarico's flu-induced campaign…
- Keywords: james talarico, ken paxton, president donald trump, texas senate race, campaign debate, flu illness, senate race, news, local, Trump, Calls, Talarico
- Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17492227/texas-senate-james-talarico-flu-ken-paxton-debate-trump
- Author: Gabby Birenbaum
- Published: 2026-10-08T16:12:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: james talarico, ken paxton, president donald trump, texas senate race, campaign debate, flu illness, senate race, news, local
## Trump and Paxton attack Talarico
President Trump and Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized James Talarico at a San Antonio rally over his recent flu-induced absence from the campaign trail.
## Talarico's flu diagnosis
Talarico revealed he was diagnosed with the flu at a Dallas urgent care the night before a Sept. 30 event with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council.
## Talarico's campaign absence
Talarico has been off the campaign trail since late September after his flu diagnosis, which he said he wanted to avoid spreading illness to others.
## Trump's debate demand
Trump called for Talarico to 'immediately report to a Debate Stage' against Ken Paxton, framing it as a jab at Talarico's absence from the campaign trail.
## Paxton's campaign response
Paxton's campaign has funded missing person posters for Talarico and criticized his absence from campaign events despite attending a New York fundraiser the night before his urgent care visit.
## Talarico's debate invitations
Talarico has accepted four debate invitations and challenged Paxton to a Fox News debate, but Paxton has not accepted any of the invitations.
## Talarico's return plans
Talarico's spokesperson said he will return to the campaign trail soon for a CNN town hall next week, after his flu diagnosis.
## Key takeaway

Trump pressured James Talarico to debate Ken Paxton after Talarico's flu-induced campaign absence.