James Talarico supported using taxpayer dollars for sex change surgeries on young children.
Posted by The Michael Berry Show, Checked
- Sources
- 4 contradict2 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
The Michael Berry ShowSep 15, 2026
Multiple authoritative fact-checkers (PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, CNN) rate the claim that Talarico supported taxpayer-funded sex change surgeries for young children as false or misleading: he voted against SB 14, which banned such surgeries and public funding for them, and he opposes surgeries for minors, though he voted for narrowing amendments. The extracted claim matches the ad's wording, which the post repeats.
What was said
… And you've got it coming out of his own mouth. Can you play again for me, Ramon, clip number one? What do we really know about James Talarico? Defending trans Texas is something we have to do every day. Tallarico supported using taxpayer dollars for sex change surgeries on young children and even said denying your child's gender identity is abusive. Defending trans Texas is something we have to do every day. Radical liberal James Tallarico, for they them, not you. Texas PAC is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Why is that powerful? Everybody understands that's wrong. …
The Michael Berry Show · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. PolitiFact rated the Texas PAC claim that Talarico 'supported using taxpayer dollars for sex change surgeries on young children' as False, noting he did not vote to spend taxpayer funds on such surgery and opposes gender-reassignment surgery for children.[1][5]
Contradicts. CNN found the ads deceptive: Talarico voted against a 2023 bill that banned minors' surgeries and public funding, and voted for amendments that would have limited the ban to surgeries while keeping hormone therapy available.[4]
Contradicts. FactCheck.org reported the ads distort the record, noting Talarico's vote against a broader ban and that gender-affirming surgeries typically occur after age 18.[2]
Supports. The ads make the claim, and Talarico did vote against SB 14, which is the factual basis the ads cite, so the record is accurately cited but the characterization is not supported.[1][3][6]
Context. Talarico has said he opposes the surgeries for minors and that he opposed the bill as too broad, including its effect on hormone therapy.[1][4][7]
Sources
7 sources: 3 fact-checkers, 1 tier 2, 3 not rated
- 1TX ad misleads on Talarico, gender-affirming care for minorspolitifact.com · fact-checker · cited for: contradicts, supports, context
- 2Republican Ads Distort the Facts in Claiming Democratic ...factcheck.org · fact-checker · cited for: contradicts
- 3Transgender ads again a dominant Republican theme - AP Newsapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 4Fact check: Republicans' deceptive ads on key Democratic ... - CNNcnn.com · tier 2 · cited for: contradicts, context
- 5Fact check: Ad distorts James Talarico's vote on gender ...houstonchronicle.com · not rated · cited for: contradicts
- 6GOP ad hits James Talarico on transgender surgeries for minorsyahoo.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7SPOT CHECK: Ad hits James Talarico on transgender surgeries for ...dallasnews.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- James Talarico voted against the bill to ban transition surgeries on children in Texas.True
- James Talarico voted to allow men into girls' sports and restrooms.Mixed
- James Talarico stated that denying a child's gender identity is abusive.True
- James Talarico voted to defund the police.False
- James Talarico stated, 'There are not two genders. There are six.'Mixed