James Talarico Trump cooperation surfaced in a new podcast released Monday, where the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Texas said he would work with the former president on several major policy areas if he wins in November.
Speaking with host Steve Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO, Talarico said he would welcome the chance to collaborate with Trump to deliver for Americans who feel left behind. He pointed to health care access, affordable child care and increasing housing supply as areas where he would engage.
“I would love, as the next U.S. senator from Texas, to work with Donald Trump to actually fulfill some of the promise of his political project,” Talarico said, adding there is still time to make government work for people who have been forgotten.
Talarico, a Texas state representative running against Attorney General Ken Paxton, said he would be “there” if Trump wanted to expand health coverage or improve child care. He also said he would partner on housing, describing Trump as a builder and calling for cutting red tape to boost home construction.
James Talarico Trump remarks on election stakes
Looking ahead to Tuesday’s midterm vote, Talarico said a strong showing for Democrats could serve as a reset for Trump’s presidency, arguing that electing leaders who would check the president could amount to a “rebirth.” He added that a Democratic victory could be a wake-up call for the administration and urged a course correction if Congress were to flip to a Democratic supermajority.
His overture comes after months of criticism from Trump, who has mocked Talarico on social media and campaigned in person for Paxton. Trump has derided the Democrat as “unelectable” in Texas and used a derogatory nickname in online posts. Talarico has pushed back on some of Trump’s characterizations, including claims about his diet.
Critics question sincerity of outreach
Former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed Talarico’s comments in a Tuesday appearance on Fox & Friends, calling them election-season posturing. She argued Democrats often present themselves as moderate after winning primaries and said voters should not expect bipartisan cooperation if Talarico is elected.
“I don’t buy it for one second,” Leavitt said, contending that Talarico would govern as a far-left liberal and would not work with Trump on border security or immigration enforcement.
Leavitt also cited past statements she attributed to Talarico on religion, gender and immigration, arguing they reflect extreme positions. She urged Texans to vote, saying Democrats would engage in obstruction against Trump’s policy agenda.
The Talarico campaign and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
