President Donald Trump this week declared Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico to be "missing in action" and challenged him to debate state Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Talarico and Paxton are locked in an unexpectedly close contest in the typically Republican Lone Star State. Trump has personally campaigned in Texas and the GOP held its midterm convention in Dallas, hoping to bolster Paxton.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, upon information and belief, James TalaFREAKo, who is running for the United States Senate in Texas, is MISSING IN ACTION! No one has seen him for an extended period of time. Where is he? What is wrong with him?" Trump posted on Truth Social. "Bad rumors are coming out."

"He should immediately report to a Debate Stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing, and able, one of the best Attorney Generals in the Country, and will soon be, hopefully, a United States Senator representing the Great People of Texas!" he concluded.

Paxton ousted Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, in the Republican primary earlier this year. Though Cornyn placed first in the first round, he was unable to avoid a runoff and Trump ultimately backed Paxton, citing Cornyn's inability to pass a voter ID bill.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.