As the race for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas nears its conclusion, Republican nominee Ken Paxton and allies have intensified personal attacks against Democratic candidate James Talarico, focusing on his appearance and masculinity. The verbal assaults began on primary night, with Paxton referring to Talarico by nicknames such as “Tofu Talarico,” “Tala-freako,” and “Low-T Talarico.” White House aide Stephen Miller escalated the rhetoric by suggesting Talarico might be transgender.
Former President Donald Trump joined the fray via his social media platform, Truth Social, posting a side-by-side image comparing Talarico with Alfred E. Neuman, the gap-toothed mascot of Mad magazine. Trump questioned the resemblance, implying that the Dallas-area candidate looked nearly identical to the satirical character noted for his goofy expression.
This comparison draws on a longstanding tradition within Mad magazine’s editorial approach. Alfred E. Neuman has been used for decades as a humorous symbol of awkwardness and low intelligence, often employed in political satire. Over the years, various public figures, including British royalty and multiple U.S. presidents such as Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, have been depicted or compared to the character.
The magazine received a notable response in 1958 when Prince Charles was said to resemble Neuman, prompting a handwritten denial of the likeness on official Buckingham Palace stationery. Mad has also historically engaged in caricaturing politicians, but despite attempts, the publication never successfully merged Neuman’s image with Trump’s likeness for satire.
Trump’s use of Neuman imagery is not without precedent; in 2019, he used the comparison to criticize then-presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. Both Buttigieg and Talarico’s campaigns have largely dismissed these attacks. Talarico’s campaign manager responded to the recent comparison with the phrase, “What, us worry?”—a nod to Mad’s classic catchphrase.
Observers note that Trump, often vocal about his own intelligence, has adopted a political strategy reminiscent of Mad’s editorial style. While such tactics draw attention, the effectiveness and appropriateness of personal attacks in the Senate race remain matters of public debate as the election date approaches.