Ted Cruz Cancun Trip Blasted by Texas Editorials: 'Paradise Can Have Him'

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) has faced stern criticism for his trip to Cancun in editorials from Texas newspapers.

Photos of Cruz traveling to Mexico went viral during the ongoing crisis posed by the winter storm in his home state, which caused mass power outages and issues with water supply.

As Cruz stayed silent about the photos, the backlash built before he confirmed they were genuine in a statement on Thursday. He has since traveled back to Texas, where he has faced calls to resign.

The Houston Chronicle gave its take on the situation in an editorial with the headline: "As Texans froze, Ted Cruz got a ticket to paradise. Paradise can have him."

The outlet said that while it is "not Cruz's job to shovel the coal, and the crisis is the handiwork of state officials, not federal," it would have expected to see "leadership and perhaps a little solidarity."

On Cruz's statement that he made the trip after a request from his daughters and wanted to "be a good dad," the editorial continued: "Cry us a Mai Tai. Good parents all over Houston are modeling resilience for their kids as they struggle to make do without enough food or water or the lesser comforts of civilization such as iPhones and Netflix.

"What about modeling a little resilience not just for his kids but for the millions of other Texans struggling to survive? Plenty of elected leaders are doing their part."

It referenced having previously called for Cruz's resignation over his objections to the presidential election results and concluded: "Cruz's trip to Mexico was foolish, callous and sadly telling of his approach to the job over the past eight years.

"Take our advice, senator, and resign. Seems like you could use a break and we could, too, from an ineffective politician who, even in crisis, puts his personal itinerary before the needs of Texans."

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram's editorial board similarly condemned Cruz's actions in an editorial under the headline: "While you're freezing in your Texas home, Sen. Ted Cruz took off for Cancun. Really."

The editorial suggested that whilst Cruz may not have practically contributed much to relief efforts, the issue was "mostly the optics," adding: "And in this case, they're unforgivably bad. Elected officials should be standing with their constituents, not sticking their toes in the warm sand."

It also criticized Cruz's questioning of election integrity following the presidential election, branding this a "much bigger error."

The editorial concluded by referring to Cruz potentially running for re-election to the Senate, or even making a presidential run in 2024.

"In 2024, Cruz is going to ask Republican voters, and then possibly the wider electorate, to nominate him for the presidency or return him to the Senate for a third term," it said.

"These jobs require good judgment. And no matter what Cruz says between now and then, we have our answer about his."

Following the trip, Cruz has said it was "obviously a mistake," and "in hindsight, I wouldn't have done it," the Associated Press reported.

Newsweek has contacted Cruz's office for comment on the editorials.