Overview
- Talarico visited Smokey Joe’s BBQ in Dallas on Wednesday to deny claims that he is a vegan and to highlight soaring beef and brisket prices facing customers and pitmasters.
- U.S. Department of Agriculture data show the national cattle herd fell to 86.2 million head, the smallest since 1951, and an NCBA analysis finds brisket prices up roughly 30 percent since early 2025.
- Ken Paxton has opened an antitrust investigation with the Department of Justice into four major meatpackers, accusing them of manipulating the market and underpaying ranchers.
- Republicans including Paxton and President Trump have leaned on cultural attacks about Talarico’s past meat‑reduction remarks while Democrats point to concrete costs for small businesses and ranchers.
- The dispute could shape policy choices voters hear from both campaigns because antitrust action, tariff decisions, and USDA funding cuts all directly affect ranch incomes and retail beef prices.