Lawrence O’Donnell mocked as he criticizes Ted Cruz for applauding Donald Trump after he left meeting
WASHINGTON, DC: On Thursday night, June 13, MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell criticized Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX), mocking him sharply for his perceived eagerness to appease former President Donald Trump during a recent meeting on Capitol Hill.
This was Trump's initial return to Congress since departing from office following the January 6 Capitol riot—a tumultuous event that initially prompted numerous Republicans to condemn Trump, only to later realign themselves with him, recognizing his enduring sway over the party's base
Donald Trump and Ted Cruz's past rift
O’Donnell began his critique with a recap of the turbulent history between Trump and Cruz, dating back to the 2016 Republican presidential campaign.
“Donald Trump attacked Senator Cruz’s father, lied about Senator Cruz’s father being involved in the assassination of President Kennedy,” O’Donnell recounted. “Donald Trump attacked Senator Cruz’s wife, Heidi. Donald Trump ridiculed the way she looks. And here is what the outraged candidate for president, Senator Cruz said about that then.”
He played a 2016 clip where Cruz vehemently defended his family, “Donald, you’re a sniveling coward and leave Heidi the hell alone,” the senator had said, denouncing Trump’s JFK conspiracy theory as “nuts.”
Despite these strong words, Cruz eventually endorsed Trump, a fact O’Donnell highlighted with pointed criticism. “But Senator Cruz looked into his heart and found nothing,” O’Donnell said. “Nothing that would prevent him from endorsing the man who attacked and lied about his father and wife. And there was Senator Cruz today, in that lineup of utterly egoless Republican men craving their moment with Donald Trump—a handshake, a pat on the back, a wink, a smile, anything from Donald Trump.”
O’Donnell roasts Cruz for still clapping after Trump leaves meeting
O’Donnell then introduced a clip from Trump’s recent meeting with Republican senators, including Cruz. “Watch now as Senator Cruz crave that moment,” O’Donnell suggested.
The footage showed Trump shaking hands with several senators before exiting the room. Even after Trump had left and the door had closed, the senators, including Cruz, continued to clap. Cruz was notably one of the last to stop applauding.
“He kept clapping after Donald Trump left the room, after the door was closed,” O’Donnell remarked with incredulity. “Did he think Donald Trump could see through the door?!”
Netizens mock Ted Cruz for applauding Donald Trump after his exit
A social media user tweeted, "I mean, Trump waves to invisible crowds so…"
Another added, "Is this worse than folks like Lawerence saying Joe is so sharp?" Another said, "Biden wanders off. So there is that."
"Cruz is such a creep!" mocked a user.
"Damn for sure PATHETIC ted cruz has no self respect or respect for his family but dangle donald trAmp's mushroom in front of him & ted's on his knees ready to please the person that has totally disrespected his family. Dudes gonna need some knee pads to keep donald happy" read a tweet. [sic]
I mean, Trump waves to invisible crowds so…
— 🦖🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇺🇸Rugger for VOTING DAMMIT (@rugger4equality) June 14, 2024
Is this worse than folks like Lawerence saying Joe is so sharp?
— sh0nuff (@sh0nuff85) June 14, 2024
Damn for sure PATHETIC ted cruz has no self respect or respect for his family but dangle donald trAmp's mushroom in front of him & ted's on his knees ready to please the person that has totally disrespected his family. Dudes gonna need some knee pads to keep donald happy.
— Daniel (@lapntap197355) June 14, 2024
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