Trump mocks Talarico with barbecue impression at Texas rally

President Donald Trump mocked Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico at a Corpus Christi rally on October 27, acting out an imagined barbecue scene and suggesting, without evidence, that Talarico had become sick after eating meat. The remarks revived claims about Talarico’s diet and earlier absence from campaign events that his campaign has disputed. Trump imitated Talarico saying, “I love the meat,” then described him going behind a tent to vomit. The rally transcript records audience laughter during the passage. Trump also suggested that Talarico had been food-poisoned by meat because he could not tolerate it. The scene was presented as an impression, not as a witnessed or verified event. Talarico’s campaign has said he had the flu and rejected the claim that he is vegan. A campaign spokesperson said he was not and had never been vegan. Campaign photographs and videos have shown Talarico eating meat, including steak, chicken and a turkey leg. His opponents have linked his 2022 comments encouraging reduced meat consumption to the vegan claim, though those comments did not establish that he followed a vegan diet. Talarico said during a virtual appearance on September...