An influencer who played a key role in hoax claims that James Talarico was in a mental health facility has a long history of social media posts that favorably invoke Nazi Germany, express antisemitism and anti-Black racism, criticize miscegenation and call for “remigration” of refugees.

On X, the Lake Oswego, Oregon, resident Ryan Amacher, known online as Rhein Amacher, has described Muslims as “sub-human”, claimed that Black Africans are “monkeys” with low IQ, characterized immigrants as “vermin” and expressed support for the far right, including Germany’s AfD and the UK’s Tommy Robinson.

His attempt to damage Talarico’s campaign with false claims about a supposed inpatient admission to an Ohio facility fell apart quickly on Sunday night, but not before his claims were boosted by a staffer on the campaign of Talarico’s Republican rival, Ken Paxton. Since working for the Trump campaign in 2024, he has remained in the milieu of Republican politics and rightwing influencers.

Neither Amacher nor the Paxton campaign responded to requests for comment.