Viral audio claiming Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico was in an Ohio mental health clinic is debunked by the facility itself

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026 · last updated 12 October 2026.

The Lindner Center of Hope in Mason, Ohio, has flatly denied ever treating Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, directly contradicting a recording that racked up over six million views on X. Pro-Trump influencer Nick Sortor posted a 47-second audio clip appearing to show a hospital employee confirming Talarico had been discharged that evening. Talarico, 37, who is locked in a tight race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, called it 'a lie designed to promote a pathetic conspiracy theory' and said he has 'never even been to Ohio'.

The recording was made by pro-Trump activist Rhein Amacher, who contacted the centre himself — meaning it does not independently establish Talarico was ever a patient.

Talarico had been absent from the campaign trail for 10 days, saying he was diagnosed with flu at a Dallas urgent care clinic and returned at the Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday.

Elon Musk weighed in before the denial emerged, posting that 'the Talarico campaign is hiding something big that voters ought to know about.'