Top 6 theological takes from Senate candidate James Talarico: 'Dumb and blasphemous'
4. 'Never-ending process' of reckoning with whiteness
Talarico has drawn particular scorn for some of his X posts during the COVID-19 era, including one that used the virus as an analogy for alleged systemic racism rooted in white supremacy.
In a post on May 8, 2020, months after the fatal shooting of Ahmaud Arbery and weeks before the death of George Floyd, Talarico claimed Arbery was "killed by the virus of racism."
"The virus kills our black neighbors if they're jogging, playing music, sitting in church, selling CDs, or carrying a bag of Skittles..." he continued.
"White skin gives me and every white American immunity from the virus. But we spread it wherever we go — through our words, our actions, and our systems. We don't have to be showing symptoms — like a white hood or a Confederate flag — to be contagious."
White skin gives me and every white American immunity from the virus. But we spread it wherever we go—through our words, our actions, and our systems. We don’t have to be showing symptoms—like a white hood or a Confederate flag—to be contagious.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) May 8, 2020
"The only cure is diagnosing the virus within ourselves and taking dramatic actions to contain the spread. The first small step is proclaiming loudly and unequivocally that #BlackLivesMatter," he added.
In another clip shared by Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, since his primary victory, Talarico said, "Prophetic voices like Jesus have helped me reckon with my own whiteness, my own masculinity, my own certainty, my own ego. It's a never-ending process, and it's a painful process."
"What kind of man talks like this?" Gill asked.
TALARICO: "Prophetic voices like Jesus have helped me reckon with my own whiteness, my own masculinity, my own certainty, my own ego. It's a never-ending process, and it's a painful process."
— Brandon Gill (@realBrandonGill) March 5, 2026
What kind of man talks like this?pic.twitter.com/w1Ccwjbo2N
Many X users also mocked Talarico for a resurfaced 2021 post in which he displayed the Anthony Fauci doll he got for Christmas that year, complete with a removable mask.
"I got the coolest action figure for Christmas! Thank you to all the health care superheroes working today. Let’s help by getting vaxxed and boosted!" he wrote, along with emojis depicting a Christmas tree and a syringe.
I got the coolest action figure for Christmas!
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) December 25, 2021
Thank you to all the health care superheroes working today. Let’s help by getting vaxxed and boosted! ???????? pic.twitter.com/tVWUrE5lyV
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
