In a familiar twist, Texas Senator Ted Cruz has once again drawn the ire of social media users after being spotted boarding a flight to California as his home state braces for a potentially severe winter storm.
Just days before the expected arrival of freezing temperatures, ice, and snow, an X user posted a photo of Cruz making his way to what was reported to be Laguna Beach, sparking a flurry of mocking comments. Many referenced the Republican lawmaker’s 2021 Cancun scandal, where he and his family took a vacation to Mexico as millions of Texans battled deadly freezing conditions.
“You have to admire the consistency from @tedcruz,” liberal political commentator Tommy Vietor wrote. “When there’s a crisis in Texas, he springs out of town.”
A spokesperson for Cruz’s office confirmed that the senator was on “pre-planned work travel that was scheduled weeks in advance” and said he would be “back in Texas before the storm is projected to hit.” However, the spokesperson declined to provide further details about his destination or return timeline.
The incoming winter storm is expected to hit Texas later this week, with the National Weather Service issuing a winter storm watch for much of the state from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. Officials have warned Texans to prepare for disruptive weather that could knock out power or make roads impassable.
This is not the first time Cruz has faced criticism for his travel decisions during a crisis. In addition to the 2021 Cancun incident, he was also scrutinized last year for being on a family vacation in Greece as devastating floods swept across Central Texas.
Despite his attempts to make light of the Cancun blunder, Cruz’s latest departure ahead of a major storm has once again sparked outrage among social media users and political commentators. As Texans brace for the potential impact of the winter weather, the senator’s absence has only served to further erode public trust and deepen the perception of his disconnect from the struggles of his constituents.