Original subtitles

Welcome back everybody.

Welcome back everybody.

Welcome back everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, joining me now is

Ladies and gentlemen, joining me now is

Ladies and gentlemen, joining me now is a representative in the Texas State

a representative in the Texas State

a representative in the Texas State House who is currently running for the

House who is currently running for the

House who is currently running for the United States Senate. Please welcome to

United States Senate. Please welcome to

United States Senate. Please welcome to the Late Show YouTube page,

the Late Show YouTube page,

the Late Show YouTube page, Representative James Talerico.

There you go. Thank you.

>> Now, here's the thing. I don't uh

>> Now, here's the thing. I don't uh

>> Now, here's the thing. I don't uh usually say this to a guest, but if

usually say this to a guest, but if

usually say this to a guest, but if people are watching this right now, it's

people are watching this right now, it's

people are watching this right now, it's because they found us online on YouTube.

because they found us online on YouTube.

because they found us online on YouTube. Uh I did an act of the show that's on

Uh I did an act of the show that's on

Uh I did an act of the show that's on tonight explaining why. Uh, it's not the

tonight explaining why. Uh, it's not the

tonight explaining why. Uh, it's not the first time you've caused some drama.

first time you've caused some drama.

first time you've caused some drama. FCC opening probe into the view after

FCC opening probe into the view after

FCC opening probe into the view after appearance by Terico. Do you mean to

appearance by Terico. Do you mean to

appearance by Terico. Do you mean to cause trouble? I I I

cause trouble? I I I

cause trouble? I I I I think that Donald Trump is worried

I think that Donald Trump is worried

I think that Donald Trump is worried that we're about to flip Texas and

and Stephen,

and Stephen,

and Stephen, this

this

this this is the party that ran against

this is the party that ran against

this is the party that ran against cancel culture and now they're trying to

cancel culture and now they're trying to

cancel culture and now they're trying to control what we watch, what we say, what

control what we watch, what we say, what

control what we watch, what we say, what we read. And this is the most dangerous

we read. And this is the most dangerous

we read. And this is the most dangerous kind of cancel culture. The kind that

kind of cancel culture. The kind that

kind of cancel culture. The kind that comes from the top. They they went after

comes from the top. They they went after

comes from the top. They they went after The View because I went on there. They

The View because I went on there. They

The View because I went on there. They went after Jimmy Kimmel for telling a

went after Jimmy Kimmel for telling a

went after Jimmy Kimmel for telling a joke they didn't like. They went after

joke they didn't like. They went after

joke they didn't like. They went after you for telling the truth about

you for telling the truth about

you for telling the truth about Paramount's bribe to Donald Trump.

Paramount's bribe to Donald Trump.

Paramount's bribe to Donald Trump. Corporate

Corporate

Corporate corporate corporate media executives are

corporate corporate media executives are

corporate corporate media executives are selling out the First Amendment to curry

selling out the First Amendment to curry

selling out the First Amendment to curry favor with corrupt politicians and a a

favor with corrupt politicians and a a

favor with corrupt politicians and a a threat to any of our First Amendment

threat to any of our First Amendment

threat to any of our First Amendment rights is a threat to all of our First

rights is a threat to all of our First

rights is a threat to all of our First Amendment rights.

Amendment rights.

Amendment rights. >> So I'm just to fact

>> So I'm just to fact

>> So I'm just to fact >> to fact check you. My network said our

>> to fact check you. My network said our

>> to fact check you. My network said our cancellation was a purely financial

cancellation was a purely financial

cancellation was a purely financial decision.

decision.

decision. >> Got it. Got it. And I remain very

>> Got it. Got it. And I remain very

>> Got it. Got it. And I remain very grateful for the last 11 years. Now

grateful for the last 11 years. Now

grateful for the last 11 years. Now >> you grow you grew up in Texas. Here you

>> you grow you grew up in Texas. Here you

>> you grow you grew up in Texas. Here you are.

are.

are. >> I did.

>> I did.

>> I did. >> There you are. You can prove it.

>> There you are. You can prove it.

>> There you are. You can prove it. >> They give you They give you the adult

>> They give you They give you the adult

>> They give you They give you the adult boots as a child and you're supposed to

boots as a child and you're supposed to

boots as a child and you're supposed to just grow into them. I understand.

just grow into them. I understand.

just grow into them. I understand. >> That's right.

>> That's right.

>> That's right. >> You served in the Texas House and now

>> You served in the Texas House and now

>> You served in the Texas House and now you're running for Senate. The race,

you're running for Senate. The race,

you're running for Senate. The race, frankly, should not be as interesting as

frankly, should not be as interesting as

frankly, should not be as interesting as it is. Donald Trump won Texas by 14%.

it is. Donald Trump won Texas by 14%.

it is. Donald Trump won Texas by 14%. Why do you think this year Texas uh is

Why do you think this year Texas uh is

Why do you think this year Texas uh is considered a possibility by Democrats?

considered a possibility by Democrats?

considered a possibility by Democrats? >> Well, I'm an eighth generation Texan. My

>> Well, I'm an eighth generation Texan. My

>> Well, I'm an eighth generation Texan. My family has been in our state since it

family has been in our state since it

family has been in our state since it was Mexico. And across

was Mexico. And across

was Mexico. And across >> So, you're going to get deported is what

>> So, you're going to get deported is what

>> So, you're going to get deported is what you're saying.

you're saying.

you're saying. >> Across the state, there is a backlash

>> Across the state, there is a backlash

>> Across the state, there is a backlash growing to the extremism and the

growing to the extremism and the

growing to the extremism and the corruption in our politics. And I have

corruption in our politics. And I have

corruption in our politics. And I have traveled every corner of Texas already

traveled every corner of Texas already

traveled every corner of Texas already from El Paso to Bowmont, from Amarillo

from El Paso to Bowmont, from Amarillo

from El Paso to Bowmont, from Amarillo to Brownsville. And we've had thousands

to Brownsville. And we've had thousands

to Brownsville. And we've had thousands of Texans showing up to rally with us.

of Texans showing up to rally with us.

of Texans showing up to rally with us. And I can't tell you the number of

And I can't tell you the number of

And I can't tell you the number of people who come up to me at the end of

people who come up to me at the end of

people who come up to me at the end of these events and whisper, "I'm not a

these events and whisper, "I'm not a

these events and whisper, "I'm not a Democrat." Like, it's some kind of

Democrat." Like, it's some kind of

Democrat." Like, it's some kind of secret. And and we've recruited 14,000

secret. And and we've recruited 14,000

secret. And and we've recruited 14,000 volunteers who are out there doing the

volunteers who are out there doing the

volunteers who are out there doing the work all over our state. We uh

work all over our state. We uh

work all over our state. We uh we have this is this is one of the most

we have this is this is one of the most

we have this is this is one of the most exciting parts. We have shattered

exciting parts. We have shattered

exciting parts. We have shattered grassroots fundraising records all

grassroots fundraising records all

grassroots fundraising records all without taking a dime from corporate

without taking a dime from corporate

without taking a dime from corporate packs. And so this is

packs. And so this is

packs. And so this is this is really um it's a peoplepowered

this is really um it's a peoplepowered

this is really um it's a peoplepowered movement to take back our state and take

movement to take back our state and take

movement to take back our state and take back our country. And I feel like we're

back our country. And I feel like we're

back our country. And I feel like we're building something really special in

building something really special in

building something really special in Texas. And clearly Donald Trump has

Texas. And clearly Donald Trump has

Texas. And clearly Donald Trump has taken note. Now, one of the things one

taken note. Now, one of the things one

taken note. Now, one of the things one of the things that's come up in some of

of the things that's come up in some of

of the things that's come up in some of the conversations you've had on the

the conversations you've had on the

the conversations you've had on the Texas uh state house floor, which some

Texas uh state house floor, which some

Texas uh state house floor, which some of the videos I've seen you do, and one

of the videos I've seen you do, and one

of the videos I've seen you do, and one of the things that gotten you attention

of the things that gotten you attention

of the things that gotten you attention out there is that you are a Presbyterian

out there is that you are a Presbyterian

out there is that you are a Presbyterian seminarian. Presently, you're a

seminarian. Presently, you're a

seminarian. Presently, you're a seminarian. Okay. Okay. The right uh

seminarian. Okay. Okay. The right uh

seminarian. Okay. Okay. The right uh attempts to co-opt Christianity

attempts to co-opt Christianity

attempts to co-opt Christianity >> to say that, you know, you can't you

>> to say that, you know, you can't you

>> to say that, you know, you can't you can't believe in God, you can't believe

can't believe in God, you can't believe

can't believe in God, you can't believe in Christ. I think that Donald Trump

in Christ. I think that Donald Trump

in Christ. I think that Donald Trump might have said something like that at

might have said something like that at

might have said something like that at the National Prayer Breakfast, like you

the National Prayer Breakfast, like you

the National Prayer Breakfast, like you can't actually be a Christian and be a

can't actually be a Christian and be a

can't actually be a Christian and be a Democrat. But the religious right is a

Democrat. But the religious right is a

Democrat. But the religious right is a it's a largely a political movement

it's a largely a political movement

it's a largely a political movement >> that references spirituality, but it's a

>> that references spirituality, but it's a

>> that references spirituality, but it's a political. What do you what is your what

political. What do you what is your what

political. What do you what is your what is your um heartfelt

is your um heartfelt

is your um heartfelt hand out to the people who want to use

hand out to the people who want to use

hand out to the people who want to use religion as a tool of political power?

religion as a tool of political power?

religion as a tool of political power? Well, for 50 years, the religious right,

Well, for 50 years, the religious right,

Well, for 50 years, the religious right, a political movement, that is a the the

a political movement, that is a the the

a political movement, that is a the the perfect description for it. They

perfect description for it. They

perfect description for it. They convinced a lot of our fellow Christians

convinced a lot of our fellow Christians

convinced a lot of our fellow Christians that the most important issues were

that the most important issues were

that the most important issues were abortion and gay marriage. Two issues

abortion and gay marriage. Two issues

abortion and gay marriage. Two issues that aren't mentioned in the Bible. Two

that aren't mentioned in the Bible. Two

that aren't mentioned in the Bible. Two issues that Jesus never talked about.

issues that Jesus never talked about.

issues that Jesus never talked about. Jesus in Matthew 25 tells us exactly how

Jesus in Matthew 25 tells us exactly how

Jesus in Matthew 25 tells us exactly how you and I and every one of our fellow

you and I and every one of our fellow

you and I and every one of our fellow believers how we're going to be judged

believers how we're going to be judged

believers how we're going to be judged and how we're going to be saved. By

and how we're going to be saved. By

and how we're going to be saved. By feeding the hungry, by healing the sick,

feeding the hungry, by healing the sick,

feeding the hungry, by healing the sick, by welcoming the stranger. Nothing about

by welcoming the stranger. Nothing about

by welcoming the stranger. Nothing about going to church, nothing about voting

going to church, nothing about voting

going to church, nothing about voting Republican. It was all about how you

Republican. It was all about how you

Republican. It was all about how you treat other people. Don't Don't

I I've

I I've

I I've I've said I've I've said before, don't

I've said I've I've said before, don't

I've said I've I've said before, don't tell me what you believe. Show me how

tell me what you believe. Show me how

tell me what you believe. Show me how you treat other people and I'll tell you

you treat other people and I'll tell you

you treat other people and I'll tell you what you believe. And and I think in our

what you believe. And and I think in our

what you believe. And and I think in our in our faith, we've got to get back to

in our faith, we've got to get back to

in our faith, we've got to get back to those fundamentals. My granddad was a

those fundamentals. My granddad was a

those fundamentals. My granddad was a Baptist preacher in South Texas. And

Baptist preacher in South Texas. And

Baptist preacher in South Texas. And when I was little, he told me that

when I was little, he told me that

when I was little, he told me that Christianity is a simple religion. Not

Christianity is a simple religion. Not

Christianity is a simple religion. Not an easy religion, he would always

an easy religion, he would always

an easy religion, he would always clarify, but a simple religion because

clarify, but a simple religion because

clarify, but a simple religion because Jesus gave us two commandments. Love God

Jesus gave us two commandments. Love God

Jesus gave us two commandments. Love God and love neighbor. And there was no

and love neighbor. And there was no

and love neighbor. And there was no exception to that second commandment.

exception to that second commandment.

exception to that second commandment. Love thy neighbor regardless of race or

Love thy neighbor regardless of race or

Love thy neighbor regardless of race or gender or sexual orientation or

gender or sexual orientation or

gender or sexual orientation or immigration status or religious

immigration status or religious

immigration status or religious affiliation. And it's why I have fought

affiliation. And it's why I have fought

affiliation. And it's why I have fought so hard for the separation of church and

so hard for the separation of church and

so hard for the separation of church and state in the state capital in Texas

state in the state capital in Texas

state in the state capital in Texas because

because

because >> Well, I want to I want to ask you about

>> Well, I want to I want to ask you about

>> Well, I want to I want to ask you about that. Yeah, please.

that. Yeah, please.

that. Yeah, please. >> Cuz you did as a as a state rep, you

>> Cuz you did as a as a state rep, you

>> Cuz you did as a as a state rep, you fought against the uh a a bill requiring

fought against the uh a a bill requiring

fought against the uh a a bill requiring the ten commandments to be displayed in

the ten commandments to be displayed in

the ten commandments to be displayed in schools. That's right.

schools. That's right.

schools. That's right. >> Why even on that level do you think it's

>> Why even on that level do you think it's

>> Why even on that level do you think it's important to keep the separation not

important to keep the separation not

important to keep the separation not just for the state but for the church?

just for the state but for the church?

just for the state but for the church? Well, because we are called to love all

Well, because we are called to love all

Well, because we are called to love all of our neighbors, including our Muslim,

of our neighbors, including our Muslim,

of our neighbors, including our Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, seek, agnostic,

Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, seek, agnostic,

Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, seek, agnostic, atheist neighbors. And forcing our

atheist neighbors. And forcing our

atheist neighbors. And forcing our religion down their throats is not love.

religion down their throats is not love.

religion down their throats is not love. And it's why I have fought

It's why I fought so hard for that

It's why I fought so hard for that

It's why I fought so hard for that sacred separation in our first

sacred separation in our first

sacred separation in our first amendment. Because my granddad, he

amendment. Because my granddad, he

amendment. Because my granddad, he raised me to believe that that boundary

raised me to believe that that boundary

raised me to believe that that boundary between church and state doesn't just

between church and state doesn't just

between church and state doesn't just benefit the state or our democracy,

benefit the state or our democracy,

benefit the state or our democracy, although it certainly does, but it also

although it certainly does, but it also

although it certainly does, but it also benefits the church. Because when the

benefits the church. Because when the

benefits the church. Because when the church gets too cozy with political

church gets too cozy with political

church gets too cozy with political power, it loses its prophetic voice, its

power, it loses its prophetic voice, its

power, it loses its prophetic voice, its ability to speak truth to power, its

ability to speak truth to power, its

ability to speak truth to power, its ability to imagine a completely

ability to imagine a completely

ability to imagine a completely different world. And so this separation

different world. And so this separation

different world. And so this separation between church and state is something we

between church and state is something we

between church and state is something we have to safeguard. It's something we

have to safeguard. It's something we

have to safeguard. It's something we have to fight for. And I think we need

have to fight for. And I think we need

have to fight for. And I think we need someone in the US Senate who is going to

someone in the US Senate who is going to

someone in the US Senate who is going to confront Christian nationalism and say

confront Christian nationalism and say

confront Christian nationalism and say and tell the truth which is that there

and tell the truth which is that there

and tell the truth which is that there is nothing Christian about Christian

is nothing Christian about Christian

is nothing Christian about Christian nationalism. It is the

it is

it is

it is it is the the worship it is the worship

it is the the worship it is the worship

it is the the worship it is the worship of power in the name of Christ. And it

of power in the name of Christ. And it

of power in the name of Christ. And it is a betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth. And

is a betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth. And

is a betrayal of Jesus of Nazareth. And I just want to thank you, Stephen,

I just want to thank you, Stephen,

I just want to thank you, Stephen, because I know you're not a politician,

because I know you're not a politician,

because I know you're not a politician, but you have really shown people in this

but you have really shown people in this

but you have really shown people in this country what Christianity should be and

country what Christianity should be and

country what Christianity should be and what it means to to actually live out

what it means to to actually live out

what it means to to actually live out the teachings of Jesus, even in a talk

the teachings of Jesus, even in a talk

the teachings of Jesus, even in a talk show. Well, I I uh I'm going to push

show. Well, I I uh I'm going to push

show. Well, I I uh I'm going to push back a little bit on that. Uh that's

back a little bit on that. Uh that's

back a little bit on that. Uh that's very nice of you to say. I would I would

very nice of you to say. I would I would

very nice of you to say. I would I would never uh lay that compliment to myself

never uh lay that compliment to myself

never uh lay that compliment to myself because I think I uh fall far short of

because I think I uh fall far short of

because I think I uh fall far short of what uh my standards would be. But I I

what uh my standards would be. But I I

what uh my standards would be. But I I will agree with you on this. I think

will agree with you on this. I think

will agree with you on this. I think that

that

that it is bad for certainly my church or any

it is bad for certainly my church or any

it is bad for certainly my church or any any religious organization to associate

any religious organization to associate

any religious organization to associate themselves from from a political party.

themselves from from a political party.

themselves from from a political party. How must it diminish God to be

How must it diminish God to be

How must it diminish God to be associated with something so small as a

associated with something so small as a

associated with something so small as a present political party? That's right.

present political party? That's right.

present political party? That's right. Because imagine this.

Because imagine this.

Because imagine this. Imagine that you managed to co-opt

Imagine that you managed to co-opt

Imagine that you managed to co-opt Christianity. Imagine if you managed to

Christianity. Imagine if you managed to

Christianity. Imagine if you managed to convince everybody that Jesus was on

convince everybody that Jesus was on

convince everybody that Jesus was on your side. If you then lose the

your side. If you then lose the

your side. If you then lose the election, sounds like you've got a

election, sounds like you've got a

election, sounds like you've got a pretty weak Jesus.

pretty weak Jesus.

pretty weak Jesus. >> Yeah, that's exactly right. And that's

>> Yeah, that's exactly right. And that's

>> Yeah, that's exactly right. And that's the key is you don't want to fit the big

the key is you don't want to fit the big

the key is you don't want to fit the big thing into the small thing.

thing into the small thing.

thing into the small thing. >> And God is the biggest thing there is.

>> And God is the biggest thing there is.

>> And God is the biggest thing there is. And so to try to fit God into a

And so to try to fit God into a

And so to try to fit God into a political party, whether it's the

political party, whether it's the

political party, whether it's the Republican party or the Democratic

Republican party or the Democratic

Republican party or the Democratic party,

party,

party, >> you've got it reversed. And and so it's

>> you've got it reversed. And and so it's

>> you've got it reversed. And and so it's why I think we have to remember to put

why I think we have to remember to put

why I think we have to remember to put those big things first, to put the love

those big things first, to put the love

those big things first, to put the love of God and the love for our neighbors

of God and the love for our neighbors

of God and the love for our neighbors before anything else. Because right now

before anything else. Because right now

before anything else. Because right now what you've got is people baptizing

what you've got is people baptizing

what you've got is people baptizing their partisanship and calling that

their partisanship and calling that

their partisanship and calling that Christianity when in reality your

Christianity when in reality your

Christianity when in reality your politics should grow out of your faith,

politics should grow out of your faith,

politics should grow out of your faith, not the other way around.

not the other way around.

not the other way around. Now,

there's been some attention on your race

there's been some attention on your race

there's been some attention on your race in recent weeks after a Tik Tocker that

in recent weeks after a Tik Tocker that

in recent weeks after a Tik Tocker that you met in person says that you

you met in person says that you

you met in person says that you privately said to them, and I want to

privately said to them, and I want to

privately said to them, and I want to get this quote, they attribute to you,

get this quote, they attribute to you,

get this quote, they attribute to you, right? They uh this person says, you

right? They uh this person says, you

right? They uh this person says, you said, "I signed up originally to run

said, "I signed up originally to run

said, "I signed up originally to run against a mediocre black man, not a

against a mediocre black man, not a

against a mediocre black man, not a formidable and intelligent black woman."

formidable and intelligent black woman."

formidable and intelligent black woman." supposedly in reference to Colin Alred

supposedly in reference to Colin Alred

supposedly in reference to Colin Alred being the black man and um you've denied

being the black man and um you've denied

being the black man and um you've denied this.

this.

this. >> Yes.

>> Yes.

>> Yes. >> Okay. Uh you denied that you ever said

>> Okay. Uh you denied that you ever said

>> Okay. Uh you denied that you ever said that.

that.

that. >> That's correct.

>> That's correct.

>> That's correct. >> Okay. Allred continues to talk about it

>> Okay. Allred continues to talk about it

>> Okay. Allred continues to talk about it even though he's no longer running for

even though he's no longer running for

even though he's no longer running for the Senate. Correct. Right.

the Senate. Correct. Right.

the Senate. Correct. Right. >> So where does that stand? How do you as

>> So where does that stand? How do you as

>> So where does that stand? How do you as someone who this person says this about

someone who this person says this about

someone who this person says this about you, you say it didn't happen. How do

you, you say it didn't happen. How do

you, you say it didn't happen. How do you imagine this gets adjudicated? And

you imagine this gets adjudicated? And

you imagine this gets adjudicated? And what would you like to say to people?

what would you like to say to people?

what would you like to say to people? >> Yeah. I mean, we know that

>> Yeah. I mean, we know that

>> Yeah. I mean, we know that misinformation spreads on the internet

misinformation spreads on the internet

misinformation spreads on the internet >> and it's sometimes like a game of

>> and it's sometimes like a game of

>> and it's sometimes like a game of telephone. As I said in my statement, I

telephone. As I said in my statement, I

telephone. As I said in my statement, I did critique Colin Alred's campaigning

did critique Colin Alred's campaigning

did critique Colin Alred's campaigning as mediocre, but I would never attack

as mediocre, but I would never attack

as mediocre, but I would never attack him on the basis of race. I respect

him on the basis of race. I respect

him on the basis of race. I respect Colin Red deeply. Even though we have

Colin Red deeply. Even though we have

Colin Red deeply. Even though we have disagreements on the best way to

disagreements on the best way to

disagreements on the best way to campaign and the best way to win Texas,

campaign and the best way to win Texas,

campaign and the best way to win Texas, my job in this moment is to try to lower

my job in this moment is to try to lower

my job in this moment is to try to lower the temperature, is to try to remind us

the temperature, is to try to remind us

the temperature, is to try to remind us that we are all on the same team trying

that we are all on the same team trying

that we are all on the same team trying to change the politics of our state and

to change the politics of our state and

to change the politics of our state and change the politics of our country

change the politics of our country

change the politics of our country because we are seeing the consequences

because we are seeing the consequences

because we are seeing the consequences of losing elections as we speak. And we

of losing elections as we speak. And we

of losing elections as we speak. And we have a moral imperative to win in

have a moral imperative to win in

have a moral imperative to win in November in Texas and to win across this

November in Texas and to win across this

November in Texas and to win across this country because that's how we're going

country because that's how we're going

country because that's how we're going to get things back on track. And so I

to get things back on track. And so I

to get things back on track. And so I know things get get tense in a primary.

know things get get tense in a primary.

know things get get tense in a primary. I know stuff flies around on the

I know stuff flies around on the

I know stuff flies around on the internet. I understand that. But I'm

internet. I understand that. But I'm

internet. I understand that. But I'm trying to get us all to keep our eyes on

trying to get us all to keep our eyes on

trying to get us all to keep our eyes on the prize, which is remembering we're on

the prize, which is remembering we're on

the prize, which is remembering we're on the same team and getting out there

the same team and getting out there

the same team and getting out there doing the organizing work so that we can

doing the organizing work so that we can

doing the organizing work so that we can win in November.

win in November.

win in November. >> Have you spoken to Colin already?

>> Have you spoken to Colin already?

>> Have you spoken to Colin already? >> I have. I call, you know, I call them

>> I have. I call, you know, I call them

>> I have. I call, you know, I call them after all this stuff came out and um and

after all this stuff came out and um and

after all this stuff came out and um and everything started to blow up just to

everything started to blow up just to

everything started to blow up just to reiterate what I said in my statement

reiterate what I said in my statement

reiterate what I said in my statement that I do respect him.

that I do respect him.

that I do respect him. >> And how did the conversation go?

>> And how did the conversation go?

>> And how did the conversation go? >> Uh you know, I I I don't want to reveal

>> Uh you know, I I I don't want to reveal

>> Uh you know, I I I don't want to reveal uh anything in a private conversation,

uh anything in a private conversation,

uh anything in a private conversation, but uh I hope that he and I walked away

but uh I hope that he and I walked away

but uh I hope that he and I walked away with a better understanding of each

with a better understanding of each

with a better understanding of each other.

other.

other. >> Now, you're you're serving in Texas

>> Now, you're you're serving in Texas

>> Now, you're you're serving in Texas House of Representatives. Uh you've had

House of Representatives. Uh you've had

House of Representatives. Uh you've had your fair share of strange days. I

your fair share of strange days. I

your fair share of strange days. I understand you had to weigh in on

understand you had to weigh in on

understand you had to weigh in on legislation about, and I hope I'm

legislation about, and I hope I'm

legislation about, and I hope I'm reading this correctly, furries.

reading this correctly, furries.

reading this correctly, furries. >> I did.

>> I did.

>> I did. >> Now, I know what furries are. And is

>> Now, I know what furries are. And is

>> Now, I know what furries are. And is that the same furries that I Yes.

that the same furries that I Yes.

that the same furries that I Yes. >> do not use my work computer to search

>> do not use my work computer to search

>> do not use my work computer to search for?

for?

for? >> That's right.

>> That's right.

>> That's right. >> Yeah. I um when I ran for public office,

>> Yeah. I um when I ran for public office,

>> Yeah. I um when I ran for public office, I never thought I'd be talking about

I never thought I'd be talking about

I never thought I'd be talking about furries in this job. Um, but my

furries in this job. Um, but my

furries in this job. Um, but my Republican colleagues in the state

Republican colleagues in the state

Republican colleagues in the state legislature, they were promoting an

legislature, they were promoting an

legislature, they were promoting an internet hoax that Texas public school

internet hoax that Texas public school

internet hoax that Texas public school students were identifying as cats.

students were identifying as cats.

students were identifying as cats. >> Yes.

>> Yes.

>> Yes. >> And

>> And

>> And >> I heard the story. I read the story.

>> I heard the story. I read the story.

>> I heard the story. I read the story. >> And that the schools were providing

>> And that the schools were providing

>> And that the schools were providing litter boxes to those students. I know.

litter boxes to those students. I know.

litter boxes to those students. I know. I know.

I know.

I know. >> My understanding is it's not just Texas.

>> My understanding is it's not just Texas.

>> My understanding is it's not just Texas. It's everywhere in the United States.

It's everywhere in the United States.

It's everywhere in the United States. >> It's an epidemic. Biden Biden signed a

>> It's an epidemic. Biden Biden signed a

>> It's an epidemic. Biden Biden signed a law that that had to happen.

law that that had to happen.

law that that had to happen. >> Yes. Forcing litter boxes in every

>> Yes. Forcing litter boxes in every

>> Yes. Forcing litter boxes in every classroom. Um anyway, they decided to

classroom. Um anyway, they decided to

classroom. Um anyway, they decided to write a bill to combat this completely

write a bill to combat this completely

write a bill to combat this completely madeup problem. And it fell to me as a

madeup problem. And it fell to me as a

madeup problem. And it fell to me as a member of the public education committee

member of the public education committee

member of the public education committee to question the author of that bill. And

to question the author of that bill. And

to question the author of that bill. And so I just asked him a pretty simple

so I just asked him a pretty simple

so I just asked him a pretty simple question. Has there been a single

question. Has there been a single

question. Has there been a single documented case of a school providing a

documented case of a school providing a

documented case of a school providing a litter box to students? And he couldn't

litter box to students? And he couldn't

litter box to students? And he couldn't name one. And this video went

name one. And this video went

name one. And this video went everywhere. You can look it up online.

everywhere. You can look it up online.

everywhere. You can look it up online. >> So the law was working.

>> So the law was working.

>> So the law was working. >> Yeah, that's right. That's exactly

>> Yeah, that's right. That's exactly

>> Yeah, that's right. That's exactly right. He actually kind of said

right. He actually kind of said

right. He actually kind of said something similar to that. Um his his

something similar to that. Um his his

something similar to that. Um his his response was that this law is to prevent

response was that this law is to prevent

response was that this law is to prevent that from ever happening, which I guess

that from ever happening, which I guess

that from ever happening, which I guess true. Um but anyway, the the there is a

true. Um but anyway, the the there is a

true. Um but anyway, the the there is a point to this craziness. They want us

point to this craziness. They want us

point to this craziness. They want us talking about furries and bathrooms. So,

talking about furries and bathrooms. So,

talking about furries and bathrooms. So, we don't realize that they are picking

we don't realize that they are picking

we don't realize that they are picking our pockets, that they are closing our

our pockets, that they are closing our

our pockets, that they are closing our schools, they are gutting our health

schools, they are gutting our health

schools, they are gutting our health care, and they are raising taxes on all

care, and they are raising taxes on all

care, and they are raising taxes on all of us while they cut taxes for their

of us while they cut taxes for their

of us while they cut taxes for their billionaire donors. The the culture wars

billionaire donors. The the culture wars

billionaire donors. The the culture wars are a smoke screen because the real

are a smoke screen because the real

are a smoke screen because the real fight in this country is not left versus

fight in this country is not left versus

fight in this country is not left versus right, it's top versus bottom.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir. Uh, thanks so much for being here and

Uh, thanks so much for being here and

Uh, thanks so much for being here and thanks for being the first guest to ever

thanks for being the first guest to ever

thanks for being the first guest to ever appear only on YouTube.

appear only on YouTube.

appear only on YouTube. >> I'm honored. I'm honored. Thank you.

>> I'm honored. I'm honored. Thank you.

>> I'm honored. I'm honored. Thank you. Representative James Talerico,

Representative James Talerico,

Representative James Talerico, everybody.

Yeah.