Jesse Watters’ mockery of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on Wednesday night came back to haunt him after social media reminded him of his own awkward romantic history.

During a segment on “The Five,” the Fox News host snidely suggested that the 37-year-old Texas Democrat is both gay and vegan despite no evidence, and hinted that Talarico must be hiding something since he has yet to publicly introduce his as-yet-unidentified girlfriend of four years to voters.

Watters wondered if she even existed before asking rhetorically, “We’re gonna find out because, if he wins, are they going to have a coming-out party? Or is she still going to stay the secret girlfriend? And is this totally-not-fake girlfriend also a vegan?”

Watters: Talarico is also 37 and not married. He says he has a girlfriend. He called her his best friend. He’s not revealing her identity because he wants to protect her privacy. Why haven’t we ever seen her before? Does she exist? If he wins, are they going to have a coming out… pic.twitter.com/yFskJ7tcsm

Sadly for Watters, his mockery of Talarico’s personal life didn’t hit the way he intended.

That’s because many people on social media used the attempted Talarico takedown as an excuse to point out Watters’ own messy love life ― most notably, that he cheated on his first wife with a Fox News producer he wooed by letting the air out of her tires.

Jesse Watters cheated on his wife and the mother of his two daughters with a Fox News producer. She divorced him and he married the producer. He should sit this one out https://t.co/kbDmZNjn61

And you had an affair with your 20-something producer after stalking her, then left your wife and kids for her so https://t.co/7yYc8WntFd

Yes, let's hear more about this from the guy who left his wife and kids for a 25-year-old coworker. https://t.co/A5QcWLl7P2

Some people thought the focus on Talarico’s love life was minor, compared to other factors.

Gas is $4 I don’t care about his girlfriend https://t.co/q1y6bhJfl3

this clip is exactly why he’s not revealing her identity lol the second he does, they’ll go after her too and she didn’t sign up for that https://t.co/wNe7d12Uxk

Others pointed out that Watters has some weird rules about masculinity, including no eating soup.

If anyone shouldn't be questioning someone's sexuality it's Jesse Watters. He should read the comments on ANY video about himself. Both he and Greg Gutfeld make comments like this about other men often. https://t.co/zkEWSXhG0C

I just want to remind you that Watters thinks eating soup in public is effeminate. Gestures, symbols. These are for him what manliness is made of. https://t.co/hPYRV9WDd4

A few people suggested Watters do a similar takedown on another unmarried politician whose love life isn’t public: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Hey @JesseBWatters … Lindsey Graham is nearly twice that age and never married. https://t.co/yxlysA39Qh

Now do Lindsey Graham https://t.co/4aeVke6UU7

Were James Talarico a Republican from South Carolina I might consider crediting this silly and homophobic innuendo, but he isn't and I don't. https://t.co/DH6M5nyi7o

Some people reminded Watters that Ken Paxton, Talarico’s Republican opponent, has a long, scandal-ridden past, including being impeached in 2023 for bribery by the Republican-led Texas House of Representatives (though he was later acquitted).

This smells of desperation and bullying. Talerico is a good Christian man and Paxton is an actual criminal. pic.twitter.com/qw3AqSvr5n

The other guy demanded Ten Commandments in public schools while boinking a lady who wasn’t his wife https://t.co/ZEYf3MxT3N

First, they really don’t have anything on him. Second, I’d rather have an unmarried guy with a gf then a guy who’s wife divorced him on “biblical grounds” and is known for cheating on his then wife https://t.co/zX0BAL5Cu2

Watters’ rant against Talarico’s personal life is one of many attacks attempted agains the Texas state representative, who polls suggest may be the Democrats’ best chance to get a Senate seat in Texas in decades.

For instance:

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