{"id":2616681,"date":"2026-06-20T12:59:01","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T16:59:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-talarico-is-exactly-who-he-is-on-paper-guy-benson\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T13:00:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T17:00:20","slug":"james-talarico-is-exactly-who-he-is-on-paper-guy-benson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/james-talarico-is-exactly-who-he-is-on-paper-guy-benson\/","title":{"rendered":"James Talarico is &#8216;exactly who he is on paper&#8217;: Guy Benson"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fjames-talarico-is-exactly-who-he-is-on-paper-guy-benson%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2616681&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Washington Examiner columnist Guy Benson commented that Texas state Representative James Talarico, who recently won a primary race, remains consistent in his personality and beliefs, contrary to any perceived changes. benson criticized Talarico for attempting to backtrack on statements related to his vegan lifestyle and campaign. Talarico had previously publicly promoted a vegan and environmentally conscious campaign, even purchasing only vegan products and eating a meatless taco, which drew criticism from President Trump, who claimed that being vegan would hinder his chances in Texas. Talarico later clarified he is not vegan and shared a photo of himself with a turkey leg. Additionally, Benson highlighted that Talarico&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republicans-outraise-democrats-across-the-board-in-january\/\" title=\"Republicans Outraise Democrats Across the Board in January\">financial disclosures show<\/a> he shares only one bank account with his mother, suggesting a lack of financial independence. Benson viewed Talarico&#8217;s positions and personal details as aligning with his established identity, with some commentators noting the unusual nature of his financial and personal disclosures.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Washington Examiner <\/em>columnist <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/author\/guy-benson\/\">Guy Benson<\/a> said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic-party\/\">Democratic<\/a> <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\">Texas<\/a> State Representative <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/james-talarico\/\">James Talarico<\/a>, who won the Texas <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> primary race, is not going to change for voters.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis guy is exactly who he is on paper, not this new makeover version that he\u2019s trying to thrust statewide,\u201d Benson said on Fox News\u2019s <em>The Will Cain Show <\/em>Friday.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4615413\/bill-pulte-acting-dni-no-fisa-deal\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bill Pulte takes over as DNI with no FISA off-ramp in sight<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4614820\/chuck-grassley-democratic-obstruction-fueling-trump-dni-fisa-standoff\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Grassley says Democratic obstruction fueling Trump\u2019s DNI and FISA standoff<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4613776\/gop-sen-roger-marshall-says-iran-have-to-be-able-to-defend-themselves\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Roger Marshall says Iran \u2018have to be able to defend themselves\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benson argued that Talarico is trying to backtrack from previous statements he\u2019s made, and said that Talarico questioned where accusations of him being a vegan came from.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWell, it was the video of him [Talarico], on the campaign trail, bragging that they\u2019re moving to an all-vegan campaign because it\u2019s a \u2018moral\u2019 obligation for the planet,\u201d Benson said.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; width: 100%; max-width: 640px; min-height: 180px; max-height: 360px; overflow: hidden;\">\n<div style=\"position: relative; width: 100%; padding-top: 56.25%;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/share.grabien.com\/share?id=3585690&#038;userid=11311&#038;usertype=user&#038;loginid=10455&#038;playercolor=%23000000&#038;playersize=auto&#038;code=681ef2b8ce6493ac673274b8e6369bbf\" style=\"position: absolute; top: 0px; left: 0px; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 0px;\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe said that in the spring of 2022, wearing a mask,\u201d Benson continued. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SB1Q3jYzxZ4&#038;list=LL&#038;index=4\">video<\/a> showed Talarico wearing a mask while speaking at an event against animal abuse, and said he is running a \u201cnon-meat campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt is now existential that we try to reduce our meat consumption and that we try to respect animals in all aspects of society,\u201d Talarico said in the video.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are only <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >buying vegan products<\/a> from our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/talarico-posts-photo-eating-meat-after-gop-vegan-allegations\/\" title=\"... posts photo eating meat after GOP ... allegations\">local vegan businesses<\/a>,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talarico also came under fire in May for ordering <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/05\/15\/politics\/video\/ebof-tom-foreman-trump-james-talarico-vegan-texas-senate\">a meatless taco. <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> slammed Talarico, saying, \u201cHe\u2019s a vegan in Texas. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4576661\/trump-james-talarico-cant-win-texas-senate-election-vegan\/\">You can\u2019t get elected as a vegan in Texas.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Talarico previously noted that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/dem-senate-candidate-hot-seat-after-anti-meat-comment-resurfaces-this-will-haunt-him\">he is not vegan<\/a>, posting a photo of himself <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4496377\/james-talarico-campaign-vegan-meat-texas\/\">with a turkey leg<\/a> in March.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fox News also shared a report from the <em>Washington Free Beacon<\/em> that Talarico\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/top-house-democrat-who-fought-to-cancel-rent-made-hundreds-of-thousands-on-rental-properties\/\" title=\"Top House Democrat Who Fought To \u2018Cancel Rent\u2019 Made Hundreds Of Thousands On Rental Properties\">financial disclosure showed<\/a> he shares his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/democrats\/texass-james-talarico-37-shares-his-only-checking-account-with-his-mom\/\">only checking account with his mother.<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4617331\/paxton-breaks-texas-gop-strong-support-ivf\/\"><strong>PAXTON BREAKS WITH TEXAS GOP WITH \u2018STRONG\u2019 SUPPORT FOR IVF<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis guy\u2019s pushing 40, he\u2019s got one bank account, and he shares it with mom. I opened my first savings account with my mother in fourth grade,\u201d Benson said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s the most important issue in the race, but it\u2019s a strange one.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Benson: Talarico remains true to himself, not a new image<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4226,"featured_media":2616683,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/talarico.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[6672,3728,75135,59577,5894],"class_list":["post-2616681","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-commentary","tag-election","tag-guy-benson-2","tag-james-talarico","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/talarico.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2616681","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4226"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2616681"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2616681\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2616685,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2616681\/revisions\/2616685"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2616683"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2616681"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2616681"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2616681"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}