Full Breakdown
Alleged Ohio Hospital Claim Sparks Controversy in Texas Senate Race
By Drooid · · How we work
Alleged Ohio Hospital Claim and Campaign Response
During a two-week absence from the campaign trail in late September, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico said he was recovering from a severe bout of the flu. Right-wing influencer Nick Sortor posted a 47-second audio clip he said captured a receptionist at the Lindner Center of Hope in Mason, Ohio, confirming Talarico’s discharge on the evening of October 10. The clip was promoted as proof that the “flu” story was a “BIG FAT LIE.” The hospital later issued a public denial that Talarico had ever been a patient.
Background & Context
The allegation emerged after Talarico’s campaign announced he would be off the trail for nine days, citing flu symptoms. The claim was amplified by several MAGA-aligned personalities, including former Trump campaign operative Rhein Amacher, who admitted he placed the call while posing as a cousin named “Tim” and supplied a fabricated patient code. The controversy unfolded amid a tightly contested Senate race between Talarico and incumbent Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Timeline of Key Events
- September 26 – Talarico’s last public appearance before the hiatus.
- September 30 – Virtual forum appearance, noting he was “feeling unwell.”
- October 7 – Paxton led a rally chanting “Where is James Talarico?”
- October 9 – Talarico reappeared at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
- October 10 – Sortor posted the audio clip; Amacher later confirmed he made the call.
- November 3 – Election day (scheduled).
Data & Statistics
- Sortor’s clip amassed more than 6.8 million views within a day on X.
- A UMass Lowell poll a week before the election showed Talarico and Paxton tied at 45 % each, with 7 % undecided.
Official Statements & Responses
Criticism & Opposition
- Ken Paxton questioned the flu explanation, stating, “The big story is: two weeks is a long time to be away with the flu, and it’s just a very strange time to disappear.” He added, “James Talarico claims he was missing for 13 days because he had the ‘flu.’ Who actually believes that? He owes Texans answers.”
- Todd Starnes warned that knowingly obtaining or disclosing protected health information under false pretenses is a criminal offense, punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and five years in prison.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ohio mental hospital CONFIRMS James Talarico was discharged from the facility earlier this week The ‘flu’ thing was a BIG FAT LIE.” — Nick Sortor
- “The big story is: two weeks is a long time to be away with the flu, and it’s just a very strange time to disappear,” — Ken Paxton
- “For all of you aspiring citizen journalists out there: Knowingly obtaining or disclosing protected health information (PHI) under false pretenses is a criminal offense,” — Todd Starnes
What’s Next
The Senate contest will be decided on November 3, when Texas voters choose between Talarico and Paxton. Campaigns are expected to focus on policy issues while the lingering controversy may continue to shape public perception in the final weeks.