Earlier this week, Senator Ted Cruz received a heap of criticism after he was spotted on airplane headed for Mexico during a winter snowstorm that left many of his constituents without power or heat. As the weekend nears, things continue to look worse for Cruz. Over the last 12 hours, it appears that text messages that his wife, Heidi Cruz, allegedly sent regarding their vacation have leaked.
“Anyone can or want to leave for the week? We may go to Cancun. [T]here [are] direct flights at 4:45 pm and hotels [with] capacity,” Cruz texted a group chat filled with neighbors and friends.
“Are you guys warm enough? We have a fireplace! Let us know. Our house is [freezing] thought. [That] is why we stayed. [L]ast night, [we] couldn’t stand it anymore."
These text messages contradict initial claims that Cruz was simply chaperoning his children on a "long-planned" trip and he didn't plan to stay. These text messages indicate that the trip was planned last minute and Cruz would have stayed. After photos of him leaving the airport were shared online, Cruz issued an apology.
"It was obviously a mistake. In hindsight, I wouldn't have done it," Cruz said.
"From the moment I sat on the plane, I began really second-guessing that decision."
Despite his apology, Cruz's actions look even worse when considering his past statements. In December, Cruz publicly criticized Austin Mayor Steve Adler for taking a private jet to Cabo during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Hypocrites. Complete and utter hypocrites. And don't forget Mayor [Steve] Adler who took a private jet with eight people to Cabo and while in Cabo recorded a video telling Austinites to 'stay home if you can...this is not the time to relax,'" he tweeted.
While Cruz and other state legislators go back and forth in the media, marginalized communities continue to suffer at a disproportionate rate. In the state of Texas, Black and Hispanic families are twice as likely to live under the poverty line. As a result, many of Black and Hispanic Texans are struggling to survive without heat or electricity. For those seeking assistance, please refer to this list of resources for more help.