Texas Democrat James Talarico went head-to-head with Fox News host Will Cain—and left him flustered and scrambling.
The fiery interview took place on The Will Cain Show Tuesday night, where the two clashed over Texas Republicans’ push to redraw congressional maps. Talarico, speaking from Illinois where several Texas Democrats have fled to protest the move, didn’t hold back.
“They’re rigging the maps,” Talarico said, accusing Republicans of trying to grab as many as five extra seats in Congress before the 2026 midterms. Cain pushed back, calling out Talarico and others for “abandoning” their jobs.
But Talarico didn’t let up.
“All the Democrats voted for it. Zero Republicans voted for it, zero,” he said, referring to a 2021 bill to ban gerrymandering. “You can spare me ‘both sides’ rhetoric. It’s clearly one side that is trying to rig the rules in the middle of the game… We shouldn’t accept cheating in our elections.”
Cain admitted he didn’t know how the vote went. Then came the moment that shut him down.
“If Republican policies are popular,” Talarico asked, “why do they need to redraw these maps, why can’t they run on their policies?”
Cain didn’t answer. Instead, he tried to end the conversation.
“I’m getting wrapped on time,” he said. “I’m enjoying this conversation. I apologize.”
After the segment aired, Talarico called him out on social media.
“I just went on Fox News to tell the truth about the redistricting power grab in Texas,” he wrote on X. “Cain refused to answer — and cut the interview early.”
Watch the clip below from Fox News.
I just went on Fox News to tell the truth about the redistricting power grab in Texas.
I asked a simple question: “If Republican policies are so popular, why do they need to redraw these maps; why not run on their policies?”
He refused to answer — and cut the interview early. pic.twitter.com/V8jByMHdJL
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) August 12, 2025
