The images provide further evidence against a false claim by Nick Sortor and Rhein Amacher, amplified by Elon Musk, that Talarico had received treatment at Ohio’s Lindner Center of Hope. The center said: “Representative James Talarico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope.” The full six minutes of a call obtained by The Bulwark also showed an employee repeatedly denying that anyone named James Talarico was in her system. Talarico returned to public campaigning Oct. 9 at the Austin City Limits music festival, after Republican opponent Ken Paxton demanded “proof of life.”
Paxton supporter Carmine Sabia apologized and retracted the treatment claim on Oct. 13, writing, “I relied on the reporting available then, but I got it wrong and retract it.” Sortor continued defending the recording and described further calls to the center, whose staff declined comment. Journalist Chuck Ross questioned why the campaign had not released a photo or video during Talarico’s absence rather than providing security images afterward.