Far-right Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is no stranger to eliciting groans from social media users for his belligerent, random, or just plain bizarre social media rants.
Things got weird yet again recently when Cruz—a multimillionaire known for his fondness of vacations to Cancún— tweeted praise for Australia's ruggedness, but railed against its strict methods for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
I love the Aussies. Their history of rugged independence is legendary; I’ve always said Australia is the Texas of t… https://t.co/Svniqjgjxf— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz) 1634147518.0
Cruz described Australia's "Covid tyranny" as "disgraceful" and "sad," sharing a video of Michael Gunner, the Chief Minister of the Australia's Northern Territory, announcing a wave of vaccine mandates.
Gunner himself soon responded.
G’day from Down Under @tedcruz. Thanks for your interest in the Territory. I’m the Chief Minister. Below are a few… https://t.co/kOI3wRqTtb— Michael Gunner (@Michael Gunner) 1634528825.0
Gunner called out Cruz's ignorance, writing in part:
"Nearly 70,000 Texans have tragically died from COVID. There have been zero deaths in the Territory. Did you know that?
Vaccination is so important here because we have vulnerable communities and the oldest continuous living culture on the planet to protect. Did you know that?"
He concluded:
"We don't need your lectures, thanks mate. You know nothing about us. And if you stand against a life-saving vaccine, then you sure as hell don't stand with Australia. I love Texas (go Longhorns), but when it comes to COVID, I'm glad we are nothing like you."
People cheered his response.
Echoing sentiments shared by billions of people around the world, an Aussie politely tells Ted Cruz to f— off. https://t.co/tiV9QwIF1l— Ben Rhodes (@Ben Rhodes) 1634536228.0
BOOM! https://t.co/tEvfKI5mqq— JerseyJedi *Fully Vaxxed* (@JerseyJedi *Fully Vaxxed*) 1634560481.0
Texan here and I agree with you 💯. https://t.co/jPiriaRuUz— Monica Fraker (@Monica Fraker) 1634555345.0
G’day to Michael Gunner and Michael Gunner only (and all the indigenous Aborigines holding down Australia of course… https://t.co/V8mUtvvES3— Tami Sawyer (@Tami Sawyer) 1634576328.0
How bloody awesome is this? 😎 https://t.co/p2qCGhtcUM— Abby W (@Abby W) 1634554768.0
Everyone already loves the Aussies but this schooling of Ted Cruz is extra-delightful. https://t.co/LDCSAIHzqM— Helen Kennedy (@Helen Kennedy) 1634536650.0
Nice to see the Australians celebrating the new AUKUS alliance by embracing a time-honored American tradition – dun… https://t.co/O56P2toYme— Nick Francona (@Nick Francona) 1634568314.0
Cruz's comments are still getting dunked on.
Population Australia: 25.9 million Texas: 29.2 million COVID deaths Australia: 1,448 Texas: 69,373 https://t.co/NxTaWjW75T— Vaccinate Your Kids (@Vaccinate Your Kids) 1634556782.0
Texas 69,506 covid deaths = 2,397 deaths per 1M. Australia 1,543 covid deaths = 60 deaths per 1M. We're fine than… https://t.co/1Qb495a4XF— someone start a blind trust so i can do the renos (@someone start a blind trust so i can do the renos) 1634544254.0
Indigenous communities are vulnerable to the coronavirus. Outbreaks could very much wipe out communities, or send t… https://t.co/EGX092Z6zx— Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷 (@Mike Stuchbery 💀🍷) 1634551116.0
Doesn't look like Cruz will be welcome in Australia any time soon.