Trump: Wife calls him 'sir' amid claims about Talarico's diet

President Donald Trump addressed supporters in San Antonio on Wednesday, making repeated claims about Texas Senate candidate James Talarico’s diet and sharing a personal anecdote about how his wife addresses him. The rally was held to support GOP candidate and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Trump told the crowd that his wife of 21 years calls him by a formal title instead of his name. “You know, my wife told me ‘sir, you have to do me a favor — it’s not vay-gan, it’s vee-gan,” he said, pivoting to allegations about Talarico’s eating habits.

Trump and the Paxton campaign have repeatedly claimed the Democratic state representative avoids animal products. The remarks trace back to comments Talarico made to the Texas Humane Legislation Network, where he said cutting meat consumption is vital to fighting climate change. Talarico has never claimed to follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle himself.

The president suggested Talarico’s recent absence from campaign events stems from gastrointestinal illness caused by eating meat for political reasons. Trump alleged the candidate forces himself to attend barbecues, eats ribs, and then vomits afterward because he refuses to consume meat.

Talarico, 37, has pushed back against the claims. He stated he has "been eating barbecue since before Ken Paxton's first indictment," referencing Paxton’s ongoing legal issues. The candidate is currently leading in statewide polls, with a Sienna College survey showing a 51-45 percent advantage and a Fox News poll indicating a 51 percent to 49 percent lead.

A Talarico victory would mark the first Democratic statewide win in Texas since Ann Richards won the governorship in 1990. Republicans have held the state’s Senate seats since Lloyd Bentsen won re-election in 1988. Bentsen left the chamber four years later to join the Clinton administration.