‘TIME TO PRAY’: Top Republican Claims James Talarico Is In A Mental Health Facility, Citing Sources

Spencer Pratt claims James Talarico is in a mental health facility as the Texas Democratic Senate nominee’s absence from the campaign trail draws mounting scrutiny.

The claim is unverified at this time, but Pratt cited unnamed sources in his X post.

“My sources are telling me Talarico is in a mental health facility. His campaign has stopped actively planning events in the vital homestretch of the campaign,” Pratt wrote.

The allegation comes after President Donald Trump questioned Talarico’s whereabouts following a Wednesday campaign appearance with his Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in San Antonio. Trump also called for the Democrat to take the debate stage against Paxton.

Pratt took aim at the people running Talarico’s campaign, accusing them of pushing the candidate too far while urging compassion if he is experiencing a crisis.

“If this is true, this is actually a time to pray for Talarico. We should, of course, savagely mock his smug, awful campaign advisors, by all means…and while yes, of course, this would be disqualifying for Talarico’s aspirations to be a Texas Senator, we must hold empathy for anyone undergoing crisis.”

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Talarico’s campaign says he has the flu and plans to return to the trail this weekend. His prolonged absence has also prompted private concerns among members of a volunteer group supporting his Senate bid, according to messages obtained by the New York Post.

“Campaigns are brutal, and not everybody is cut out for it. You need very thick skin. As much as I don’t want Talarico anywhere near government, I also don’t want wish him harm, and no political office is worth having a breakdown. His awful advisors are at fault for this. They pushed him to be something he isn’t, and it didn’t work.”

RELATED: Talarico’s Mysterious Absence Raises Major Questions As Trump Rails ‘Flu’ Claim

Talarico discussed his apparent illness during a Sept. 30 virtual appearance with the U.S. Hispanic Business Council, saying he had received a flu diagnosis at a Dallas urgent care clinic the night before. Republicans have kept up pressure over his absence as the Senate race enters its final weeks.

Pratt ended his post by saying he hoped Talarico was OK.

“I’m praying that this isn’t true, and he’s OK. You want to win these fights on the battlefield of ideas, not the minefield of poor health.”

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