James Talarico is embracing a nickname President Donald Trump has used to mock him — and turning it into campaign merchandise.
New “I’m A Talafreako” shirts are now available through the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate’s online store. The tees, available in black and white, start at $36.
Trump has repeatedly referred to Talarico as “Talafreako,” adopting a nickname that had previously been used by Talarico’s Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
President Trump calls Sen. candidate James Talarico, (D-TX) "Talafreako, because he is one of the worst candidates I've ever seen" and says Sen. candidate Ken Paxton (R-TX) was the "best attorney general in the United States." pic.twitter.com/xUQc2ZD8r5
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 2, 2026
Rather than distancing himself from
the label, Talarico has leaned into it. He referenced the nickname during his recent interview with Jimmy Kimmeland is now giving supporters a way to wear it as campaign merchandise.
The shirts are among several items sold by Talarico’s campaign store, which also includes “Talarico for Texas” and “Texas Is Talarico Country” apparel.
Talarico is also selling 'Not Ken Paxton's pen'
Talarico is also selling a pen inscribed with the words “Not Ken Paxton’s Pen,” a reference to a 2012 incident in which Paxton was accused of taking a $1,000 Montblanc pen that had been left near a courthouse security checkpoint.
The incident was featured in a Talarico campaign ad, which included surveillance footage showing Paxton picking up the pen and walking away. The pen’s owner, attorney Joe Joplin, later recovered it after contacting courthouse security and police. Joplin, who did not press charges, appears in the ad endorsing Talarico for U.S. Senate.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ‘I’m a Talafreako’: Talarico turns Trump insult into campaign shirts
