Trump Calls James Talarico a Vegan as Texas Senate Candidate Faces Meat-Eating Controversy

U.S. President Donald Trump has revived his attacks on Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, accusing him of being a vegan who is now eating meat publicly to appeal to Texas voters.

Speaking at an event in Texas, Trump pointed to Talarico’s recent appearances eating meat and claimed the Democrat does not actually eat meat in private. Trump said Talarico was a vegan and mocked his appearances at barbecues, suggesting that the candidate was only eating meat because he was running for office in Texas.

However, there is no evidence that Talarico is secretly vegan or that he is pretending to eat meat for political purposes.

A PolitiFact review rated the claim that Talarico is a vegan as false. The fact-check noted that Talarico has repeatedly denied being vegan and has been publicly photographed eating meat and other animal products.

The controversy stems partly from comments Talarico made in 2022 during a fundraiser focused on animal welfare. He argued that reducing meat consumption was important for animal welfare and climate change and announced that his political campaign would become a “non-meat campaign.”

Talarico said the campaign would purchase vegan products from local vegan businesses. He did not, however, say in the speech that he personally was vegan. The issue resurfaced during Talarico’s 2026 Senate campaign and quickly became a target for Republican critics in a state where cattle ranching and barbecue are prominent parts of the culture and economy.

Talarico’s campaign responded by publicising photographs of him eating meat, including a turkey leg. His campaign spokesperson has also said that Talarico has never been vegan or vegetarian.

Trump has nevertheless continued to use the “vegan” label against the Democratic candidate. In a September 2026 speech, Trump again said Talarico would return to being a vegan and claimed he could not tolerate meat.

The dispute has consequently become part of the wider political contest over Talarico’s identity and positions as he campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas.

While Talarico has advocated reducing meat consumption, available public evidence does not establish that he is secretly vegan or that his public meat-eating is merely an attempt to win votes.