Fox News personality Emily Compagno is facing widespread criticism after she called Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico a “demon in human skin” during a segment on the network’s “Outnumbered” program on Friday. Compagno also claimed Talarico “doesn’t want anyone to eat meat,” a statement she described as “disqualifying for Texas.”
False Claims and Factual Inaccuracies
Compagno’s assertion about Talarico’s stance on meat consumption is false. Talarico, a state representative and Presbyterian seminarian, has publicly stated his love for barbecue. “I’ve been eating barbecue since before Ken Paxton’s first indictment,” Talarico said in May, referencing his Republican opponent’s legal troubles. Paxton, the Texas attorney general, was indicted on three felony counts in a fraud case and was impeached, though he was later acquitted by the state Senate on 16 articles of impeachment after reaching a settlement that included $300,000 in restitution and community service.
Escalating Attacks in a Tight Race
The race for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas, traditionally a Republican stronghold, has become unexpectedly competitive. A recent New York Times/Siena poll showed a dead heat between Talarico and Paxton. As the contest tightens, attacks against Talarico have intensified. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has claimed Talarico is “going to hell” for “blasphemy,” and a pro-Paxton group released a controversial AI-generated advertisement targeting Talarico. Even former President Donald Trump has weighed in, attacking Talarico multiple times and announcing a GOP midterm convention in Dallas, which observers interpret as a sign that Paxton needs additional support.
Social Media Backlash
Critics on social media quickly condemned Compagno’s remarks. Many highlighted the hypocrisy of Republican figures who often call for toned-down rhetoric while using inflammatory language. “These are sick, sick people,” one user wrote. Another noted, “Soft-spoken, nice, Christian man, who happens to be a Democrat: HE IS A LITERAL DEMON!!” The MeidasTouch account commented, “A Fox host called Rep. Talarico 'a demon in human skin' on live TV. Soft-spoken. Christian. Cross-aisle. The word they picked was demon.” Others pointed out the potential for such language to incite political violence, with one user stating, “Republicans need to tone down the rhetoric. This kind of language can lead to political violence.”
Broader Implications for Political Discourse
The incident has reignited debates about the state of political rhetoric in the United States. Compagno’s comments are part of a pattern of increasingly aggressive attacks from Republican figures and media personalities as the Texas Senate race tightens. Talarico, known for his cross-aisle work and religious faith, has become a target for those seeking to paint him as extreme. The controversy underscores the challenges of maintaining civil discourse in a highly polarized political environment.
