Here’s what happened.
Sen. Ted Cruz returned to Texas on Friday after a photograph showing him boarding a commercial flight went viral online, just as much of the country prepared for a potentially historic winter storm.
The image, which circulated widely on social media earlier in the week, quickly reignited public discussion surrounding Cruz’s travel during major weather events. As online commentary intensified, the Texas senator addressed the situation directly with a tongue-in-cheek message posted Friday.
“I’ve returned home from my work trip. It’s 66 degrees and beautiful. A storm is expected tomorrow night,” Cruz wrote on X. He added humorously that he had been “reliably informed” by social media that if he simply raised his hand while standing on Texas soil, the storm would reverse itself and be replaced by sunshine.
The remarks appeared to acknowledge criticism Cruz faced in 2021, when he traveled with his family to Cancun, Mexico, during a devastating winter storm that caused widespread power outages across Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, that storm was associated with 246 deaths statewide. Cruz later publicly admitted that the trip was “obviously a mistake.”
The renewed scrutiny this week followed a photo posted Tuesday showing Cruz seated on a plane reportedly bound for Laguna Beach, California. The post spread rapidly, surpassing nine million views and generating thousands of responses, with users both defending the senator and questioning the timing of the travel.
“I’m noticing a pattern,” one commenter wrote, reflecting the broader online debate.
A spokesperson for Cruz told FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth that the senator’s trip had been planned in advance and emphasized that he returned to Texas before dangerous weather conditions were expected to arrive.
Meanwhile, forecasters warn that the developing winter storm could impact as many as 235 million Americans across roughly 40 states. According to FOX Weather, the system may bring extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and significant ice accumulation, raising concerns about travel disruptions and power reliability.
As communities prepare, Cruz’s early return is likely intended to reassure constituents and avoid a repeat of past political controversy as Texas braces for another potentially severe winter event.
