Donald Trump Jr. Defends Ted Cruz Cancun Trip, Says Texas Crisis 'A Governor's Job'
Donald Trump Jr. has defended Sen. Ted Cruz over his trip to Cancun as millions of Texas remain without power in freezing temperatures, suggesting people should be more focused on the controversies surrounding Democratic governors.
The eldest son of former President Donald Trump posted a message on video-sharing app Rumble in which he said the "optics" of Cruz's trip weren't "ideal." Cruz has admitted to traveling with his family to Cancun, only to return on Thursday as the criticism intensified.
Cruz said he flew to Cancun while his home state grappled with a severe winter storm that left several people dead "to be a good dad," after his daughters asked to go on a trip with friends.
Trump Jr. was one of a number of conservative figures to defend Cruz, who was already facing calls to resign after backing Trump Sr.'s baseless claims of widespread voter fraud in the run-up to the attack on the Capitol on January 6.
"Now, if I were a Trump, which I am, I'd come up with a nickname for something like this, like Cancun Cruz. It's funny," he said. "I can't get on this bandwagon trying to cancel the guy. It's totally ridiculous. It's absolutely absurd.
"In the grand scheme of things, he's a senator. He doesn't manage crises in states," he added. "That's a governor's job. He's a federal employee, they mostly vote on things."
Trump Jr. appears to be referencing the criticism surrounding California Gavin Newsom, who is facing a recall election over his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"That they are spending more time focusing on this than they are, you know, governos just flagrantly disregarding their executive orders, shutting down states, etc. Shows you how ridiculous things are."
In a separate tweet, Trump Jr. also attacked New York Governor Andrew Cuomo amid claims he covered up the true number of COVID deaths in the state's nursing homes.
"How is it possible that blue check Twitter is spending more time trying to destroy Ted Cruz taking a family trip but refuses to focus on Gov Cuomo's lies, coverups, and strong arm tactics that killed thousands?
In a tweet sharing the video, Trump Jr wrote: "The hypocrisy of those trying to cancel Ted Cruz who have been totally silent on their Democrat Governor's incompetence is telling. My thoughts on the Cancún Cruz faux outrage."
When Cruz returned to the U.S. on Thursday, he admitted to reporters that he had originally planned to stay in Mexico until the weekend.
"I didn't want all the screaming and yelling about this trip to distract even one moment from the real issues that I think Texans care about, which is keeping all of our families safe," Cruz said.
"It was obviously a mistake, and in hindsight, I wouldn't have done it."
Trump Jr.'s team has been contacted for further comment.
