U.S.THE INTERVIEW

Trump and GOP Close Midterms With Ugly Personal Attacks

Republicans facing backlash over inflation have used nicknames like Low T Talarico and Tofu Talarico against a Texas Senate nominee; the grocery bill went unmentioned.

On air: Gloria Vance on Best of BBN
Published 5:25 AM ET, Saturday, October 31, 2026

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Gloria Vance on this story, from Best of BBN at 5:25 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The New York Times's, the jokes are ours.

From the show

Interviews“I represent his loyalty, his pharmacy bill, and the gap between them. The gap is where I live.”Granville Teague▶ Full · 1:37Trump Voters vs. Prices: Lobbyist Bills Hourly for Every AnswerInterviews · Oct 20

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “Trump and GOP Close Midterms With Ugly Personal Attacks”, with reporting from Fox News, The Hill and CNN.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 5:25 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Gloria Vance.
Topics: GOP, Trump.
BBN covered this story before: Democrats hold 10-point lead over GOP in battle for Congress: Poll (October 30).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesTrump and GOP Close Midterms With Ugly Personal Attacks
Fox News2026 midterms live updates: Battle for control of Congress heats up October 30, 2026 · facts used on air
The HillThe midterm elections marred by personal insults and character attacks October 26, 2026 · facts used on air
CNNTrump making final midterm sprint in red states where Republicans are in danger of losing seats October 25, 2026 · facts used on air

What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRepublicans facing backlash over inflation have turned to personal attacks on Democratic candidates, and one nickname is Tofu Talarico, aimed at a Texas Senate nominee over his past veganism.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorJoining us is Lysander Moretti, a lifestyle creator who has built a sponsored morning routine around it. Lysander, why tofu?
Lysander Kwabena MorettiFull transparency, Gloria, the nickname is the best thing to happen to scramble since the pan. Use code TOFU20 at checkout, quick plug.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe Hill reports Republicans also used the names Low T Talarico. Voters are angry about prices. Did anyone attack the prices?
Lysander Kwabena MorettiNo, and here is why. I wake at five, drink warm lemon water, and by six I am too calm to read a grocery receipt.
Lysander Kwabena MorettiCode TOFU20.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThat is a very smooth way to dodge the question. Let me put it plainly: are you saying yes on inflation?
Lysander Kwabena MorettiFull transparency, the blender company sponsors this segment. And the blender has strong feelings about the price of firm tofu, which I will not share.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe president told a Florida rally he wants Democrats sent into political oblivion once and for all.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorDoes that fit before or after the lemon water?
Lysander Kwabena MorettiAfter. Full transparency, a bank I will not name pays me to say oblivion is a wellness destination.
Lysander Kwabena MorettiCode TOFU20 gets you ten percent off oblivion, and free shipping to Florida.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorSir, I tried that code during the break. It does not exist.
Lysander Kwabena MorettiNeither do lower prices, Gloria, yet here we all are. I mean, new code: GROCERIES.
Gloria Vance · World News AnchorVerdict: a candidate was called Tofu, and the grocery bill got away clean. Lysander, what does GROCERIES take off?
Lysander Kwabena MorettiNothing, Gloria. It's a campaign promise.

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The story so far

Oct 25Trump booty remark, El Clásico, Nicki Minaj, Elvis lawsuit · New York Post
Oct 26John Oliver Warns Ahead of Midterms About GOP Nazi Ties · Variety
Oct 27Blakeman ad says Hochul will raise taxes for Mamdani · New York Post
Oct 28Murkowski endorses a Democrat for Alaska governor · NBC News
Oct 29Speaker Johnson rejects 'nonsense narrative' on seating Democrats · Fox News
Oct 30Democrats hold 10-point lead over GOP in battle for Congress: Poll · The Hill
Oct 31Trump and GOP Close Midterms With Ugly Personal Attacks (this story)

From the archive: everything BBN aired on Saturday, October 31, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months

Trump and GOP Close Midterms With Ugly Personal Attacks

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What BBN said about it

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