During a heated debate about Republican redistricting attempts, Fox News anchor Will Cain abruptly halted an interview with Texas state representative James Talarico after the Democrat offered a scathing fact-check.
On Cain’s show, Talarico, who has become a well-known voice among the Texas Democrats who left the state to oppose a redistricting vote led by the Republican Party, defended the lawmakers’ choice to leave the Lone Star State.
Currently in Illinois, the organization is preventing a vote that would have given Republicans up to five more members in the U.S. House and denying the Texas legislature a quorum.
My God.After addressing their lies, @jamestalarico just left a Fox anchor stunned and forced him to cut the conversation short.XQ0nvSaD8U pic.twitter.com/
August 12, 2025: No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen (@NoLieWithBTC)
When Cain accused Democrats of duplicity for attacking Republicans over gerrymandering while supposedly utilizing identical strategies themselves, the interview swiftly descended into fight.
What has happened, in my opinion, is that you have done something in some states and then object when it is done in Republican ones, Cain stated. And now you’re saying that you’ve done the same thing as us—and we’re going to, incidentally, we’re going to ramp it up even more if you do it, according to Gavin Newsom.
Talarico resisted, claiming that his party had never gerrymandered at the US president’s request in the middle of a decade. According to him, Texas must carry out this power grab if this is to occur in blue states.
Massachusetts was mentioned. Are you aware of the party the governor was from when he signed that map into law? He was a Republican. The governor who signed that map into law was a Republican. I don’t want to create confusion, therefore I just want to be clear about our facts. Whether we are Republicans, Democrats, or independents, we should all oppose politicians who refuse to answer to the people at the polls. That’s precisely what’s taking place here. And I asked why they needed to redo these maps if Republican programs are popular. Why aren’t they able to simply follow their policies?
Cain said that the interview was concluded rather than explicitly answering the question. Before moving on to the next portion, he stated, “I’m getting wrapped on time.” Online attention was swiftly generated by the abrupt conclusion. Talarico said on social media that the host abruptly interrupted the conversation because he found it difficult to respond to questions regarding gerrymandering.
James, oh James. It’s one thing for trolls to misrepresent the interview, but you were present. I gave you ten minutes, which is a long time in television news, out of respect. Additionally, you were unable to provide an explanation for your job abandonment during that entire period. You can cut and run from Texas even if you are carrying a flag to Illinois.LZUycCPw0G https://t.co/…
Will Cain August 12, 2025 (@willcain)
Later, in a response on X, Cain charged that Talarico had fabricated the events. It’s one thing for trolls to misrepresent the interview, but you were present, Cain wrote. I gave you ten minutes, which is a long time in television news, out of respect. Additionally, you were unable to provide an explanation for your job abandonment during that entire period. Little Jimmy, stay in Illinois. More suitable for you than Texas.
The altercation occurs during a heated political impasse in Texas. Republicans contend that the GOP’s mid-decade redistricting effort is a fair representation of the state’s voters, while Democrats contend it is an effort to secure additional seats through political gerrymandering.
Talarico, who has become well-known across the country after appearing on Joe Rogan’s podcast, has established himself as a pivotal player in the battle, urging Texans of all political persuasions to oppose initiatives that threaten competitive elections.
With both sides accusing the other of eroding democratic norms, the interview and its aftermath reveal the stark partisan difference over voting maps. The redistricting vote is still stuck, and the Texas Democrats are still out of state.
