Texas Senate nominee Talarico reappears after two-week absence; campaign cited flu

scandal-riddenMore neutral: Republican opponent

Pre-judges Paxton with an unproven label for a candidate in the race.

…from in-person campaign events for 12 days after contracting the flu, giving his scandal-ridden Trump-endorsed opponent, Ken Paxton, ammunition ahead of the crucial election on…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)HuffPost (Far Left)

raising questionsMore neutral: state the question and who is asking

The writer is raising the question while pretending someone else did.

President Donald Trump and Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton are raising questions about Democratic challenger James Talarico's whereabouts after the candidate…

Used byFox News (Far Right)Just the News (Far Right)

ConfirmsMore neutral: Reports

Presents a report from one unnamed hospital employee as confirmed fact.

BREAKING: Mystery of 'Missing' Talarico May Be Solved After Journalist 'Confirms' Whereabouts

Used byRedState (Far Right)PJ Media (Far Right)

fuels rumorsMore neutral: raises questions

Attributes unspecified rumors to Trump’s post without identifying their source or substance.

Trump fuels rumors about James Talarico’s campaign trail absence

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

torn intoMore neutral: criticized

Repeats the same combative framing of Trump’s statements in the article’s own voice.

President Trump has torn into Texan Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico in a late-night social media rant.

Used byThe Independent (Left)

late-night social media rantMore neutral: late-night social media post

Characterizes Trump’s post as an emotional outburst rather than describing it neutrally as a statement or post.

…Trump has torn into Texan Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico in a late-night social media rant.

Used byThe Independent (Left)

Trump claimedMore neutral: Trump said

Using “claimed” rather than “said” subtly casts doubt on the truthfulness of Trump’s statement.

…who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION!” Trump claimed in a Truth Social post uploaded on Wednesday night.

Used byThe Independent (Left)

tears intoMore neutral: criticizes

Casts Trump’s criticism in a dramatic, combative light rather than describing it neutrally.

Trump tears into ‘Missing In Action’ James Talarico after Texas candidate diagnosed with flu

Used byThe Independent (Left)

Disappears from Campaign TrailMore neutral: absent from the campaign trail

Implies mystery or vanishing rather than the more mundane fact of being absent from public events.

Rally Crowd Chants 'Where Is James Talarico' as Senate Candidate Disappears from Campaign Trail for 11 Days

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

glitzyMore neutral: fundraiser

Adds an editorializing, image-shaping adjective to the description of the fundraiser.

The Daily Wire previously reported that Talarico came down with the flu following a glitzy New York City fundraiser with a far-left filmmaker who called America a ...

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

far-left filmmakerMore neutral: filmmaker

Applies a politically charged label to characterize a third party rather than describing them neutrally.

…came down with the flu following a glitzy New York City fundraiser with a far-left filmmaker who called America a ...

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

vanishedMore neutral: been absent

Dramatizes a routine campaign absence as a mysterious disappearance.

Senate in Texas, has vanished from the campaign trail in the middle of a general election, and the flu story his…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

does not hold upMore neutral: has raised questions

States as settled fact that the explanation is false, rather than attributing the skepticism to specific evidence or sources.

…a general election, and the flu story his campaign is offering for his absence does not hold up.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

Are We Really Supposed to BelieveMore neutral: Questions Raised About Talarico’s Flu Explanation

Presents the candidate’s explanation as self-evidently false rather than as a disputed claim.

Are We Really Supposed to Believe Talarico Has the Flu?

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

mockedMore neutral: referred to

Mocked adds a judgement about Paxton’s intent that the reported posts do not state.

Texas Republican Senate nominee Ken Paxton mocked opponent James Talarico’s notable absence from the campaign trail, sharing a missing…

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

toutsMore neutral: shares

Touts implies boasting and endorsement, while the article reports that Paxton shared flyers.

Ken Paxton touts ‘missing Talarico’ flyers across Texas

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

Something rather strangeMore neutral: Talarico has not appeared publicly

The phrase builds suspense before any facts are stated.

Something rather strange has happened in the Texas Senate race.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

Mystery of MIA Talarico DeepensMore neutral: Talarico Absence Continues

Mystery and deepens dramatize an absence that the reporting attributes to illness.

'Requesting Proof of Life': Trump, Paxton Turn Up the Heat After Mystery of MIA Talarico Deepens

Used byRedState (Far Right)

a MarxistMore neutral: a candidate that some right-leaning outlets describe as a Marxist

Labels Talarico with a political ideology as established fact, based on claims that the input does not corroborate.

Is it because we learned earlier this month that Talarico is a Marxist?

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

heretical false gospel accountsMore neutral: a reading of the gospel accounts that he has argued for

Calling the accounts heretical and false pre-judges a theological dispute that the article presents as settled.

The guy who told us that God is non-binary, relied on heretical false gospel accounts to call for abortions, and formed a mutual admiration society with a…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

virtue-signalingMore neutral: public statements

A dismissive label that attributes motive to the candidate’s public statements.

Has he joined a progressive monastic order that calls for a vow of silence from virtue-signaling?

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

Favorite HereticMore neutral: Democratic candidate

Heretic is a religious judgement that adds contempt to a question about the candidate’s whereabouts.

We Miss Our Favorite Heretic!

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

most infamousMore neutral: two Democratic candidates in the news

Adds drama and a negative label without supporting facts.

As two of the most infamous Democrat candidates right now seem to be in hiding, it becomes increasingly…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

in hidingMore neutral: have not been seen in public

Implies concealment, which the article does not establish beyond the absence from public events.

As two of the most infamous Democrat candidates right now seem to be in hiding, it becomes increasingly obvious that Democrats themselves know that when their own…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

heretical and radical opinionsMore neutral: views many voters oppose

Labels Talarico’s views in the writer’s own voice rather than describing them.

…earned himself the nickname “Talafreako” with his endless stream of heretical and radical opinions.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

Too Dumb to CampaignMore neutral: Democratic Candidates Limit Campaign Appearances

Calls the candidates unintelligent, a judgement the article’s reporting does not establish.

Talafreako Is ‘Sick,’ Becerra Is Hiding, and Dems Know Their Candidates Are Too Dumb to Campaign

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

mockingMore neutral: criticizing

Mocking attributes intent to Paxton’s criticism.

Ken Paxton is mocking his Democrat opponent for seemingly going missing from the campaign trail as Election…

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

hammersMore neutral: criticizes

Hammers conveys force and attack beyond the reported criticism.

Paxton hammers Talarico for going 'missing' from campaign trail — and Trump chimes in hilariously

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

hilariouslyMore neutral: publicly

Calling the remark hilarious is a judgement on its humor rather than a report of what was said.

…hammers Talarico for going 'missing' from campaign trail — and Trump chimes in hilariously

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

TrollsMore neutral: Shares mocking posters of

Trolls characterizes Paxton’s campaign as provocative and contemptuous rather than describing the posters.

Ken Paxton Trolls Talarico with 'Missing' Posters After 12-Day Flu Absence

Used byNewsweek (Center)

saw an opening to pounceMore neutral: saw an opportunity

Pounce describes Paxton’s response as predatory rather than reporting it.

…campaign events in the Texas Senate race, his Republican opponent Ken Paxton saw an opening to pounce.

Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

having a FIELD DAYMore neutral: are seizing on the absence

Dramatizes Republican reaction in the writer’s own voice.

…from the Texas Senate campaign trail for nearly two weeks, and Republicans are having a FIELD DAY.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

openly mockingMore neutral: has referred to Talarico as

Characterizes Trump’s remarks as mockery in the writer’s own voice.

…Paxton’s campaign is distributing missing-person-style flyers, President Trump is openly mocking Talarico, and Dana Loesch has a fascinating theory about what’s really happening.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

bizarre controversyMore neutral: controversy

Characterizes the episode as strange before the facts are established.

Larry sits down with Dana to discuss the bizarre controversy, the Texas Senate race, and why Talarico’s absence could become a serious…

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

influencer armyMore neutral: influencer network

Derisively labels Talarico’s supporters as a coordinated force in the outlet’s own voice.

Talarico’s influencer army privately frets about his 12-day absence from campaign trail, leaked Slack…

Used byNew York Post (Right)

PanicMore neutral: Concern

Dramatizes Democratic reaction beyond the reported concern.

Democrats Panic as Star Vanishes From Campaign Trail

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

VanishesMore neutral: Is Absent

Suggests a sudden disappearance, while the article reports a planned absence for illness.

Democrats Panic as Star Vanishes From Campaign Trail

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

circusMore neutral: election campaign

Calling the election season a circus adds ridicule rather than describing the campaign.

A couple of the more prominent Democrats in this year's circus have been making themselves scarce of late, getting speculation and rumor mills…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

making themselves scarceMore neutral: have been less visible

The phrase suggests the candidates are deliberately avoiding voters, which the excerpt does not establish.

A couple of the more prominent Democrats in this year's circus have been making themselves scarce of late, getting speculation and rumor mills buzzing.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

most bizarreMore neutral: unusual

Labeling the candidate’s absence as bizarre pre-judges the story before the facts are given.

Of course, the most bizarre one of the bunch is in the mix.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

AWOLMore neutral: absent

AWOL means absent without leave, a military term for desertion, so it treats ordinary campaign absence as abandonment of duty.

The Morning Briefing: Don't Get Too Excited About the AWOL Dem Candidates

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

regime mediaMore neutral: name the outlet

Dismisses reporting by presumed politics rather than by evidence.

Where the heck is little Jimmy Talarico, the blasphemous imp who the regime media are trying to tell us is the anti-gun, anti-meat, anti-fossil fuel, anti-America,…

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

Flu Excuse CollapsesMore neutral: is questioned

“Collapses” presents the flu explanation as already refuted, which the supplied text does not establish.

Rumors Swirl About Talarico’s Mental State As Flu Excuse Collapses 13 Days Into Absence

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

Explosive rumorsMore neutral: Unverified reports

The word ‘explosive’ adds drama to claims the article itself describes as unverified.

Explosive rumors are circulating about the whereabouts of Texas State Rep.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

He's FinishedMore neutral: his campaign could face serious trouble if the reports prove true

The headline presents a conditional, unverified rumor as a verdict on the candidate’s campaign.

If This Is True About James Talarico, He's Finished

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

“official” wordMore neutral: campaign’s statement

Scare quotes around the campaign’s statement cast doubt on it without evidence.

https://t.co/MrmiLVyZRJ The "official" word from the Talarico campaign is that he has gotten the "flu." His campaign says he…

Used byRedState (Far Right)

This Looks Bad. Really Bad.More neutral: Questions grow about his absence

The emphatic verdict pre-judges the candidate’s situation before the facts are settled.

This Looks Bad. Really Bad.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

melting downMore neutral: struggling

Dramatizes the campaign’s response without citing direct evidence of it.

…the campaign trail for 13 days now, with indications that his campaign staff is melting down on how to spin it.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

evidence showed him in New York fundraisingMore neutral: reports said he was at a New York fundraiser

Presents an unnamed claim as established evidence without identifying its source.

However, the day he claimed to be in urgent care for the flu, evidence showed him in New York fundraising.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

got caught in another lieMore neutral: his account has been disputed

States as established that the candidate lied, a conclusion the excerpt does not support.

It looks like James Talarico got caught in another lie.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

Legacy MediaMore neutral: news outlets

A partisan term for news outlets that implies bias before the coverage is weighed.

As James Talarico Remains Absent From the Campaign, Legacy Media Plays Captain Obvious on His Lies

Used byRedState (Far Right)

His LiesMore neutral: his explanations

Presents the candidate’s explanations as proven falsehoods, which the article does not establish.

…Talarico Remains Absent From the Campaign, Legacy Media Plays Captain Obvious on His Lies

Used byRedState (Far Right)

Talarico MysteryMore neutral: Talarico absence

Calls an absence with a stated medical reason a mystery, a framing the reporting does not establish.

Local News Outlet Tried to Get to Bottom of Talarico Mystery - Response Shows There's a Big Problem

Used byRedState (Far Right)

Big ProblemMore neutral: a notable issue

Asserts a serious failing before the facts show one.

…News Outlet Tried to Get to Bottom of Talarico Mystery - Response Shows There's a Big Problem

Used byRedState (Far Right)

complete silenceMore neutral: absence from in-person events

Calls the absence total, which the supplied text does not establish, since he had made some virtual appearances.

…came after Paxton once again requested proof-of-life of Talarico following his complete silence.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

struggling to sayMore neutral: have not said

Implies the staff are failing at a simple task, which the report does not show.

…Talarico has been missing from the campaign trial for 13 days, with his staff struggling to say when he'll be back.

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

Mystery overMore neutral: Questions over

Frames an unexplained absence as a mystery before the cause is known.

Mystery over Texas Democrat James Talarico's nearly two-week campaign hiatus as his opponents…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

seized onMore neutral: cited

Suggests opportunism rather than simply reporting a response.

…from in-person campaigning in Texas, an absence Republican opponent Ken Paxton had seized on to demand “proof of life.” Talarico greeted festivalgoers and posed for photos…

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

Disappearing ActMore neutral: absence

Frames an absence as deliberate concealment before the explanations are weighed.

Talarico Ends His Disappearing Act With A Festival Cameo

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

would like us to believeMore neutral: said the cause was the flu

Frames the campaign’s stated reason as a pretext before it has been tested.

His campaign would like us to believe "the flu" is to blame.

Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)

aren’t buying itMore neutral: questions remain

Asserts public disbelief without citing any poll or named source.

…reasons declined to be named, "He's, like, really sick." The American people aren't buying it.

Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)

hiding somethingMore neutral: whether the campaign is withholding information

Presents a suspicion about motive as a likely fact without supporting evidence.

If it seems like they're hiding something, they probably are.

Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)

BizarreMore neutral: unexplained

An editorial adjective that rests on the absence itself rather than on new facts.

6 Plausible Theories for James Talarico's Bizarre Campaign Absence

Used byWashington Free Beacon (Far Right)

shut down the rumorsMore neutral: answer the questions

Labels reports about his whereabouts as rumors before they are settled.

James Talarico (D-50th District) had an easy way to shut down the rumors about his disappearance this week, and his campaign refused to take it.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

vanished from public viewMore neutral: has not appeared in public since

Suggests a deliberate disappearance rather than a reported absence.

…As we previously reported, Talarico, the Democrat candidate for the Senate, vanished from public view a month before the election, and multiple people say sources are telling…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

multiple people say sources are telling themMore neutral: unnamed people have claimed

Attributes a serious claim to unnamed people, which the article itself says remains unverified.

…Senate, vanished from public view a month before the election, and multiple people say sources are telling them that he checked himself into a mental institution following some…

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

quite aloofMore neutral: has not explained

Characterizes the campaign’s attitude without evidence of intent.

The absence, however, is real, and the campaign is being quite aloof about it.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

Made Things So Much WorseMore neutral: Talarico’s Campaign Responds to Questions About Absence

An editorial verdict on the campaign’s conduct presented as fact.

Talarico's Campaign Made Things So Much Worse With This Move

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

disappearedMore neutral: was absent

Suggests an unexplained vanishing, while the campaign gave a medical reason.

Talarico disappeared late last month in the homestretch of the critical Senate race.

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

withering Republican attacksMore neutral: Republican attacks

Adds an intensity judgement to the attacks that the report does not document.

Facing withering Republican attacks, he appeared back in public one day before the weekend, mingling with…

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

unhingedMore neutral: (omit) and quote the statement

Diagnoses the speaker instead of quoting them.

His last in-person sighting was on September 28 when he was palling around with an unhinged Robert De Niro in New York City.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

skipped out onMore neutral: did not attend

The phrase presents a missed commitment as a deliberate evasion without establishing the reason.

James Talarico skipped out on the Hispanic business leaders, canceled on the Central Texas African American…

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

ghostingMore neutral: not appearing in public

Slang that casts a campaign absence as deliberate avoidance of voters.

He doesn’t get to reappear like nothing happened after ghosting the 31 million Texans he wants to represent for two weeks.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

RipsMore neutral: criticizes

Rips describes a harsh verbal attack and adds heat that a plain verb would not.

'Must Be Nice': Paxton Rips Talarico’s Two-Week Disappearance

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

raises questionsMore neutral: state the question and who is asking

The writer is raising the question while pretending someone else did.

Newly released audio raises questions about Talarico’s absence from campaign trail

Used byJust the News (Far Right)

fired backMore neutral: responded or replied

Combat framing for a reply.

The campaign of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico fired back after audio was released online claiming Talarico had checked out of a mental health…

Used byJust the News (Far Right)

brushing offMore neutral: declining to address

Describes a dismissive reaction and adds judgement about how the candidate responded.

…Senate candidate James Talarico of Texas returned to public view Friday while brushing off questions about the past 13 days when he was missing from the campaign trail.

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Rumors from prominent sourcesMore neutral: Sources the article does not name

Relies on sources the article does not name, so the claim cannot be checked by readers.

Rumors from prominent sources tell a different story, however.

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Rumors ClaimMore neutral: Reports question

Attributes a doubt about the illness to unnamed rumor without identifying any source.

Talarico Makes First Appearance After Long Absence - Rumors Claim it Wasn't the Flu

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Democrat PartyMore neutral: Democratic Party

Deliberate misnaming used as a slight; the party's name is the Democratic Party.

Talarico, the Democrat Party's nominee for U.S.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

didn't hold upMore neutral: the reporters dispute the campaign’s explanation

The excerpt states as settled that the campaign’s explanation is false, while the reporting is based on an unconfirmed account.

His campaign claimed he was recovering from the flu, but that explanation didn't hold up.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

Threatens to ExposeMore neutral: says he will publish where Talarico was

The headline frames the reporters’ stated plan to publish details as a threat, which adds drama beyond what the report describes.

Journalist Puts Talarico on the Clock, Threatens to Expose Where He Really Was

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

rumorsMore neutral: reports

Calls the reports rumors without saying who is making them or what they contain.

James Talarico’s Senate campaign is officially denying rumors that his two-week absence from the public eye was the result of a mental health…

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

‘Flu’More neutral: flu

Scare quotes around the flu explanation cast doubt on it in the outlet’s own voice without evidence in the headline.

Campaign Denies Claim That James Talarico’s ‘Flu’ Was Mental Health Crisis

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

lamestream mediaMore neutral: other news outlets

The label dismisses other news outlets as biased without evidence.

And unlike the lamestream media, we are not buying his 14-day “flu” excuse.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

“flu” excuseMore neutral: explanation

Placing the word flu in scare quotes and calling the campaign’s account an excuse dismisses it before the facts are known.

And unlike the lamestream media, we are not buying his 14-day “flu” excuse.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

weird dudeMore neutral: Talarico

The phrase is a personal insult that pre-judges the candidate rather than describing his conduct.

That’s even putting aside that a weird dude like Talafreako who loves wearing masks year-round like he’s playing a TV doctor for…

Used byRedState (Far Right)

warped logicMore neutral: his stated reasoning

The phrase labels the candidate’s reasoning as distorted without giving the reasoning.

…party that never ends should not even be getting the flu, according to his warped logic.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

or Be ExposedMore neutral: or have the details published

The phrase presents the reporters’ planned release of details as an exposure of wrongdoing, which the coverage does not establish.

'Tick Tock': Talarico Is Now 'On the Clock' to Reveal Where He Really Was or Be Exposed

Used byRedState (Far Right)

threatens to derailMore neutral: may affect

Describes a report as a threat to the campaign before its effect on the race is known.

A breaking news report now threatens to derail the Texas Democrat’s senate campaign.

Used byRedState (Far Right)

MysteryMore neutral: Talarico’s absence

Calls the absence a mystery, which presents it as a hidden puzzle rather than as a reported absence.

BREAKING: Mystery of 'Missing' Talarico May Be Solved After Journalist 'Confirms' Whereabouts

Used byRedState (Far Right)

supposedly reappearedMore neutral: reappeared

The hedge casts doubt on the candidate’s reappearance, which is documented in the coverage.

He supposedly reappeared this weekend to poke at Republican Texas AG Ken Paxton over debates, and his…

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

bombshell audioMore neutral: audio

Adds drama to an audio recording whose content the coverage does not establish.

Senate, earlier this week, according to bombshell audio that independent journalist Nick Sortor released on Sunday.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

an explanation that never held upMore neutral: an explanation that has been questioned

States as settled that the flu explanation was disproven, which the supplied coverage does not establish from a record.

His campaign claimed he was recovering from the flu, an explanation that never held up.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

BombshellMore neutral: New

Adds drama to an audio recording whose content the coverage does not establish.

Bombshell Audio CONFIRMS Talarico's Stay at Mental Health Facility.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

claimedMore neutral: said

“Claimed” signals doubt about the team’s statement in the outlet’s own voice, where “said” reports it neutrally.

Talarico’s team claimed he had a “nasty case of the flu” and had been “home in bed,” according to The New…

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Viral RecordingMore neutral: Recording shared on social media

“Viral” implies wide spread that the supplied text does not show, and the recording is described as unconfirmed.

Breaking: Viral Recording Appears to Place Talarico at Ohio Psych Facility During Long Absence Despite…

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Despite DenialMore neutral: Talarico campaign disputes Ohio facility recording

“Despite denial” presents the campaign’s denial as already overridden by the recording before the recording is verified.

…Recording Appears to Place Talarico at Ohio Psych Facility During Long Absence Despite Denial

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

flu recoveryMore neutral: reported flu illness

Presents the campaign’s explanation of illness as an established recovery in the outlet’s own headline.

Chair of Texas Democratic Party says 'we're full steam ahead' after Talarico's flu recovery

Used byThe Hill (Center)

No one is buying thatMore neutral: Many commentators doubt that explanation

The phrase presents a contested explanation as rejected by an unnamed general audience.

No one is buying that, but Nick Sortor’s call suggests there's more to it.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

Shocking ReportingMore neutral: Reporting

The adjective asserts a dramatic effect that the headline does not support with the reporting it describes.

Talarico Campaign Responds to Shocking Reporting in the Case of the 'Missing' Senate Candidate

Used byRedState (Far Right)

vehemently deniedMore neutral: denied

Vehemently adds emphasis about the manner of the denial without changing what was said.

James Talarico has vehemently denied he was spending time at a mental health clinic, instead blaming his multi-day…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

bashes cruel rumorMore neutral: denies rumor that he was in a mental health clinic

Bashes signals hostility toward the rumor, and cruel adds a judgement the facts do not need; the report says only that he denied it.

Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico bashes cruel rumor that he was in mental health clinic...

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

explosive accusationMore neutral: accusation

The adjective adds drama to an accusation that the article goes on to dispute.

Elon Musk and a collection of prominent MAGA influencers rushed to spread an explosive accusation about Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.

Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

MAGA SleuthsMore neutral: Right-wing commentators

The label ties the people named to a political movement in a way that pre-judges their credibility.

MAGA Sleuths' Talarico 'Bombshell' Blows Up in Their Faces

Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

softball interviewMore neutral: interview

Softball pre-judges the interview as friendly before the content is described.

…spoke out about his two-week disappearance from the campaign trail, and his softball interview with NBC's Phil Prazan raised more questions than it answered.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

shoots downMore neutral: rejects

Shoots down frames a statement as a combative rebuttal rather than a plain denial.

‘I just had the flu’: James Talarico shoots down conservative speculation about absence

Used byNBC News (Left)

Wild MAGA conspiracy theoriesMore neutral: Online conspiracy theories about Talarico

Calls the theories wild, a judgement that adds drama beyond the facts.

Wild MAGA conspiracy theories about Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico have taken a humiliating…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

conspiracy theoriesMore neutral: describe the claim and the evidence against it

Ends the discussion by labeling; state the claim.

The disappearance led to online conspiracy theories that Talarico may have been experiencing a mental health crisis, a theory…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

exploitedMore neutral: used

Says Paxton’s team exploited the theory, which assumes intent.

…theories that Talarico may have been experiencing a mental health crisis, a theory exploited by Paxton’s team.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

humiliating hitMore neutral: been challenged

Repeats the judgement that the conspiracy theories suffered a humiliating setback.

…conspiracy theories about Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico have taken a humiliating hit.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Humiliating BlowMore neutral: Conspiracy claims about Talarico face new evidence

Calls the rebuttal a humiliating blow, a judgement about the outcome rather than a report of it.

MAGA’s Conspiracy About Dem Star Dealt Humiliating Blow

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

no one gets bedridden for a fortnight with the fluMore neutral: A two-week absence with the flu is unusual, Talarico’s critics argue

Presents a contested medical judgement as settled, without a medical source.

…campaign insisted he was stuck at home with the flu, but no one gets bedridden for a fortnight with the flu, especially 37-year-old men, regardless of whether they have…

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

Too WeirdMore neutral: Did Talarico have a mental health crisis, as online claims say?

Frames the question as sensational before the facts are established.

Too Weird to NOT Check First: Did Talarico Have a Mental Health Crisis?

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

stunning postMore neutral: post

Calls the post stunning, a judgement about its effect.

Ennis’ stunning post wound up prompting more questions than answers.

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Forced to AdmitMore neutral: Talarico campaign says

Implies the campaign was cornered into a confession, which the text does not show.

Talarico Camp Forced to Admit the 2 Most Humiliating Words Possible as Rumors Swirl About Mental Hospital, Flu,…

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Most Humiliating Words PossibleMore neutral: the campaign’s statement

Adds a judgement about the statement’s effect as a headline claim.

Talarico Camp Forced to Admit the 2 Most Humiliating Words Possible as Rumors Swirl About Mental Hospital, Flu, Proof of Life

Used byThe Western Journal (Far Right)

Left-wing radicalMore neutral: Democratic

Labels the candidate with a pejorative political identity before any evidence is given.

Left-wing radical James Talarico -- the Democrat nominee for U.S.

Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

snarky butt kickin’More neutral: sharp rebuttal

Describes the exchange with a judgement of tone and outcome.

Senate in Texas gave his GOP foe a snarky butt kickin’.

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

totally sassedMore neutral: responded to

Describes the candidate’s remarks with a judgement of tone.

Democrat James Talarico totally sassed rumor-mongering GOP foe Ken Paxton on Sunday before their Texas showdown for U.S.

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

rumor-mongeringMore neutral: Republican

Labels the opponent’s conduct with a pejorative before evidence of intent is given.

Democrat James Talarico totally sassed rumor-mongering GOP foe Ken Paxton on Sunday before their Texas showdown for U.S.

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

FeistyMore neutral: Talarico responds to Paxton rumor

Characterizes the candidate’s demeanor with a judgement rather than a report of what he said.

Feisty Talarico Crushes Paxton Rumor About Him And Diagnoses Republican In Return

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

CrushesMore neutral: rejects

Presents a rebuttal as a decisive victory, a judgement about the exchange.

Feisty Talarico Crushes Paxton Rumor About Him And Diagnoses Republican In Return

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

Diagnoses RepublicanMore neutral: responds to Republican

Uses a medical metaphor to mock the opponent, adding judgement.

Feisty Talarico Crushes Paxton Rumor About Him And Diagnoses Republican In Return

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

Musk’s liesMore neutral: false claims by Musk

Characterizes the claims as deliberate lies, a judgement of intent.

Jeet Heer But that doesn’t mean the danger from Musk’s lies is over.

Used byThe Nation (Far Left)

racist British provocateurMore neutral: British activist Tommy Robinson

Attaches a pejorative label to Tommy Robinson without a supporting example in the text.

…on X at all hours of the day, often promoting far-right figures such as racist British provocateur Tommy Robinson.

Used byThe Nation (Far Left)

SmearMore neutral: false claim

Labels Musk’s claim a smear, a judgement of intent rather than a description of its falsity.

Elon Musk’s James Talarico Smear Blew Up In His Face

Used byThe Nation (Far Left)

refusing to let go ofMore neutral: continuing to repeat

Characterizes repeated claims as stubborn refusal, a judgement of motive.

MAGA influencers and other prominent rightwing figures are refusing to let go of a conspiracy theory that Democratic candidate James Talarico received…

Used byThe Independent (Left)

conspiracy theoryMore neutral: describe the claim and the evidence against it

Ends the discussion by labeling; state the claim.

…influencers and other prominent rightwing figures are refusing to let go of a conspiracy theory that Democratic candidate James Talarico received treatment at a mental health…

Used byThe Independent (Left)

refuse to let go ofMore neutral: continue to repeat

Characterizes repeated claims as stubborn refusal, a judgement of motive.

MAGA world and Megyn Kelly refuse to let go of debunked James Talarico conspiracy theory

Used byThe Independent (Left)