News/Commentary

Talarico says he’s a ‘Christian who hates Christianity’ – can’t wait to see how this goes for him in Texas

June 24, 2026 | | Print Article

Yet another past remark from James Talarico appeared to be more than just a “cringey comment” as the Senate hopeful’s take on Christianity proved him a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Following the tradition of recent years in the Lone Star State, a statewide election means a nationwide fundraising effort from the Democratic Party, with the promise that this time they’ll flip the state blue. Chosen as this cycle’s sacrificial lamb, Beto 2.0 Talarico once again found himself answering for past remarks as the seminary graduate described himself as a “Christian who hates Christianity.”

Pulled from a March 2021 appearance on the “Activist Theology” podcast, hosted by Roberto Che Henderson-Espinoza, a self-described nonbinary “transgender” Latinx who focuses on queer interpretations of Christianity, the Democrat Senate nominee expressed, “I always think of myself as a Christian who hates Christianity, right?”

During the same interview, Talarico fawned over the host, saying, “I couldn’t contain my inner fanboy because I had read your book last year, and it continues to inspire me, and y’all’s work continues to inspire me.”

On top of his stated hatred for the faith that has been a central point of his campaign to become the junior senator of Texas, the state representative said, “I always get drawn back into it because nowhere else, in no other political philosophy and no other economic theory do I find anything nearly as truly radical or revolutionary as the teachings of that barefoot rabbi.”

He also likened the teachings of Jesus Christ to “the teachings of the Buddha and other mystical traditions,” and insisted, “It’s very strange, every time I think about it, that the most popular figure in our country, particularly on the conservative right, is this socialist anarchist from ancient Palestine.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The same candidate previously found himself excoriated for suggesting “God is nonbinary,” genital mutilation of children is “not child abuse,” and that the Annunciation was actually God asking for the Virgin Mary’s consent, a position he used to justify abortion.

“You have to be either crazy or stupid to run for Senate in Texas openly hating Christianity and BBQ but ‘loving’ transgender kids,” reacted Republican National Committee spokesman Zach Kraft in a statement to Fox News Digital. “James Talarico is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, who has made it clear he intends to destroy Texans’ way of life and replace it with his woke socialist utopia where there are six genders, a Green New Deal, and a non-binary God.”

Defending the candidate, spokesperson JT Ennis argued, “… the Christian seminarian who’s dedicated his life to the teachings of Jesus Christ obviously doesn’t hate Christianity.”

“James is a devout Christian who fights religious and political corruption when he sees it — because there’s nothing Christ-like about powerful people twisting the teachings of Jesus to justify hate, violence, and greed,” added Ennis.

ADVERTISEMENT

Meanwhile, as social media users sounded off over Talarico donning the hollowed-out faith like a skinsuit, Madison Cercy, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Ken Paxton’s (R) Senate campaign, told Fox News Digital, “Every time one of these comments resurfaces, James Talarico claims it’s being taken out of context or written off as another ‘cringey comment.’ But after years of saying the same things, Texans can see the pattern.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Kevin Haggerty
Latest posts by Kevin Haggerty (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles