rights
Reporters erupt in laughter at pic of Republican who said Talarico isn't manly enough: "This guy!"
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
The hosts of MS Now's Morning Joe could not contain their laughter while asking Democratic Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's (R) claim that Talarico is not manly enough to represent the state. Hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough erupted in hysterics as they dis
Key takeaway Hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough erupted in hysterics as they displayed a photo of the 76-year-old Patrick wearing a tight black shirt under a leather jacket.
Why this matters
The ridicule directed at Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's claim that James Talarico is not manly enough to represent Texas highlights the absurdity of using masculinity as a political attack. This tactic is particularly concerning for the LGBTQ+ community, as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces toxic masculinity. The fact that Republicans have repeatedly insulted Talarico's masculinity, including baseless claims that he is secretly gay or transitioning, demonstrates a disturbing pattern of using homophobic and transphobic rhetoric to discredit opponents. Talarico's response, emphasizing the need for serious leaders to address pressing economic issues, resonates with voters who are tired of divisive politics. As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face discrimination and marginalization, it is crucial to recognize how these attacks on masculinity are often used to distract from real policy issues and to undermine support for LGBTQ+ rights.
About this story
Original reporting by LGBTQ Nation . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LGBTQ Nation . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: rights ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more LGBTQ News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering rights and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The hosts of MS Now's Morning Joe could not contain their laughter while asking Democratic Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico about Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's (R) claim that Talarico is not manly enough to represent the state. Hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough erupted in hysterics as they dis
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .