James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Texas, said in a Fox News interview in Dallas that he opposes transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports “if it endangers safety or fairness.” The remark, which differs from positions he took as a state lawmaker, was highlighted by Riley Gaines and circulated widely on X. Online users focused on the conditional wording, with many questioning whether the statement marked a genuine shift or a campaign hedge.
Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) posted the clip on X. It is a Fox News excerpt of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaking with correspondent Brooke Taylor, with an on-screen banner reading, “TX DEM SEN CANDIDATE TALARICO SPEAKS WITH FOX.”
Gaines wrote that Talarico’s comment was “a total 180 from confidently stating there are 6 genders,” adding, “Of course, he doesn’t actually think this. He knows Texas voters do.”
In the clip, Talarico says, “I oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it endangers safety or fairness.” He continues, “Every sport has to be safe and fair. As a former public school teacher, I care a lot about our student athletes. I care a lot about our students.”
He repeats the condition, saying, “And so I will oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports if it risks safety or fairness.” The footage does not show the full interview or what Talarico said immediately before the excerpt.
Reporting on the Dallas interview said the remark differed from votes he cast in the Texas House against restrictions on transgender student-athletes. His campaign did not spell out in the clip which sports or cases would meet the “safety or fairness” test.
Responses to the Texas Senate Interview Clip
Some users said the wording was a hedge. Stephen L. Miller called it “a fun hedge,” and Biff Smallberries wrote that the phrase “if it endangers safety or fairness” “will be his OUT,” adding that the “ONLY answer is, ‘I oppose trans athletes playing in girls’ sports.’ (PERIOD).”
Kim Shasby Jones said, “He’s not using the words the way you think,” arguing that some officials are “redefining ‘fair and safe.’”
Others framed the comment as a campaign shift. Gabe Saint wrote, “He is moderating. He knows his progressive platform is a losing platform.”
Kenny Webster called him “Flip flop Talarico” and said he “doesn’t seem to agree with anything he supported in 2020.”
A smaller set of users treated the move as a concession that would not satisfy critics, with Matt Royer writing, “You get ZERO credit with these people even when you try to find common ground.”
It remains unclear how the remark will figure in the Texas Senate race beyond the online debate it has already drawn. The clip continues to circulate as viewers weigh Talarico’s wording against his earlier record.
