Trump targets Texas Democrat Talarico over ‘six genders’ remarks, says it’s ‘a real hit on Jesus’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump intensified his attacks on Texas Democrat James Talarico during a recent interview, saying the state lawmaker is embracing progressive cultural positions that Trump said are out of touch with many American voters, especially conservatives and faith-based people.

The comments come as Trump has ramped up messaging on education, religion, and gender identity issues ahead of the 2026 election cycle, issues that have become central to Republican campaigns in several battleground states.

Trump targets James Talarico over past comments and political image

Aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump took questions from reporters, one of whom asked if he is prepared to endorse a candidate.

“Well, I’ll maybe make a decision,” the president responded. “I know them both very well. I like them both a lot. And, uh, you know, my record of endorsements is extraordinary.”

“I think the Democrats have a weird, a weird candidate,” he said.

“Six genders, a real hit on Jesus. I mean, this guy is bad news with his mask from relatively recently. And he’s vegan. He’s a vegan. All of a sudden, he’s not a vegan. He’s a vegan. Now, all of a sudden, he’s not.”

The president further argued that Democrats had nominated a weak candidate for a statewide race in Texas.  

“Texas doesn’t like vegans. I do believe either one of them will easily win the race. I think that the candidate the Democrats have in Texas is a very flawed, very weak, very. I think he’s a pathetic candidate, especially for Texas.”

Trump’s message on James Talarico echoes his past comments

Trump’s remarks come as Republicans continue to make cultural debates a major part of their electoral messaging heading into the 2026 cycle.

The “six genders” is an apparent reference to a claim by Talarico in 2021, when he said, “there are six” biological sexes. It is unclear what Trump meant by “hit on Jesus.”

Talarico has spoken about his Christian faith publicly on many occasions.

 Conservatives have frequently criticized Democratic politicians and activists over debates involving gender identity, arguing that such positions alienate moderate and independent voters.

Talarico beat Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the March 4 primary.

But the Republican primary remains a toss-up, with neither Sen. John Cornyn nor Attorney General Ken Paxton able to reach a majority of the vote.

The two will square off in a runoff on May 26. Trump, who has no qualms about endorsing candidates in Republican primaries, so far has refused to do so.

Cornyn has been a pretty solid Trump ally in the Senate, a pretty solid MAGA ally.

Paxton may have ingratiated himself with Trump by using his office to promote the narrative that the 2020 election was rigged, but he is mired in scandal and was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas House of Representatives.