Undercover video shows Talarico saying his transgender position "hasn't changed"
An undercover clip, reported by the Daily Wire, shows Texas Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico saying his position on transgender issues is unchanged. Two right-leaning outlets present it as contradicting his recent Fox News remarks.
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The story, neutrally told
An undercover video clip shows Texas Democratic U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico telling a woman posing as a supporter that his position on transgender issues "hasn't changed", according to Breitbart, which cites a Daily Wire report. BreitbartR “told a woman posing as a supporter on Sept. 13 that his position on transgender issues “hasn’t changed,” according to an undercover video clip.” Read at Breitbart ↗ The recording was made at Houston's Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, where the woman asked whether he would defend her "niece who is trans" and her ability to compete in women's sports. BreitbartR “captured at Houston’s Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church” Read at Breitbart ↗ Talarico replied that he would fight for trans kids in the Senate as he had in the legislature, and said sports eligibility should be decided locally, "sport by sport, athlete by athlete". BreitbartR ““I still think these should be local decisions, sport by sport, athlete by athlete, and I think I have the most inclusive policy of any candidate who’s running,”” Read at Breitbart ↗ Hot AirR ““The way I fought for trans kids in the legislature is how I will fight for them in the US Senate.”” Read at Hot Air ↗
On Sept. 9, Talarico told Fox News he would oppose trans athletes in girls' sports if it risks safety or fairness, and, per Breitbart, that he would "absolutely" support a national ban on gender-transition surgeries for minors. BreitbartR ““And so, I will oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it risks safety or fairness.”” Read at Breitbart ↗ Breitbart notes he voted against Texas Senate Bill 14 (2023) and Senate Bill 29 (2021) as a state representative. BreitbartR “he voted against Senate Bill 14, the 2023 Texas law restricting such procedures, and against Senate Bill 29 in 2021” Read at Breitbart ↗ Separate footage released by the same outlet features a Texas Democratic Party-linked manager, Jennifer Miranda, who described the shift as aimed at a "wider net", and a minister, Rev. Babs Miller, who predicted he would revert after the election. BreitbartR ““Right now he’s trying to target a wider net, which unfortunately means being more palatable to Republicans here in Texas,””“predicted in her own recorded exchange that he would revert after the election” Read at Breitbart ↗
Madison Cercy, spokeswoman for Republican opponent Ken Paxton, said the video shows Talarico "can't outrun his own radical record". BreitbartR ““James Talarico can’t outrun his own radical record, and this bombshell video proves it,”” Read at Breitbart ↗ Hot Air's commentary goes further, asserting Talarico is privately telling people he has not changed and is lying to get elected; the coverage does not include a response from Talarico's campaign to the video. Hot AirR “Talarico is merely lying to get elected.” Read at Hot Air ↗ BreitbartR “Talarico faces Republican Ken Paxton in November.” Read at Breitbart ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
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Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets treat the video as exposing a gap between Talarico's public moderation and private views; Breitbart reports it as a news item with quotes, while Hot Air writes a polemical opinion piece.
- Emphasis
- His legislative votes, the Fox News remarks contrasted with the clip, and insiders saying the shift is temporary.
- Leaves out or plays down
- No comment from Talarico's campaign or context on how the undercover footage was obtained and edited beyond the Daily Wire's account; his 'local decisions' position is given little weight.
- Charged language
- “bombshell video”“radical record”“two-faced”“The Deceiver”“gender mutilation”
What every side reports
- The clip has Talarico saying his position on transgender issues hasn't changed.
- He told Fox News on Sept. 9 he would oppose trans athletes in girls' sports if it risks safety or fairness.
- Talarico is the Democratic nominee facing Republican Ken Paxton in November.
Where accounts differ
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Whether Talarico's recent public statements are a genuine change or a deceptive campaign shift
- Right
- Breitbart frames the clip as showing his position unchanged, citing a Paxton spokeswoman and recorded acquaintances; Hot Air says he is "lying to get elected" and calls him "The Deceiver". Talarico's own view in the clip is that his position is consistent and 'inclusive', and things are 'getting clipped'.
James Talarico person
In the clip he says his position hasn't changed, that sports eligibility should be local decisions, and that he has the most inclusive policy in the field; he acknowledges 'things are getting clipped'. On Fox News he said he would oppose trans athletes in girls' sports if it risks safety or fairness.
“So I know things are getting clipped and stuff, but my views, my position hasn’t changed.”” — Breitbart
““Every sport has to be safe and fair,”” — Breitbart
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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Critical News-style report presenting the undercover clip as evidence Talarico's stance is unchanged, with Paxton campaign and insider quotes.
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Hot AirR ·
Talarico Confirms: My Positions on Transgender Issues Have Not Changed a Bit
Alarmist Opinion column casting Talarico as a deceptive extremist and heretic, using the clip as proof.
- 30 Sep 02:20 First BreitbartR Talarico Pledges in Undercover Video to Use Senate Seat to Fight for Trans Children: ‘I Will Fight for Them’
- 30 Sep 15:00 +12h 39m Hot AirR Talarico Confirms: My Positions on Transgender Issues Have Not Changed a Bit
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.