Texas Senator Ted Cruz Vacations During Deadly Winter Storm That Left Millions Without Power

On today's episode of Ted Cruz slowly morphing into a cartoon villain somehow more sinister than his Zodiac Killer alter ego, it seems the Texas senator has decided the best time to take a sunny getaway to Cancun, Mexico is in the midst of a winter storm that has left millions without power and more than 20 dead. On Wednesday evening, several photos reportedly depicting Cruz boarding a flight to the popular getaway destination began swirling on social media, to the ire of several Texans suffering through the aftermath of the storm -- or, well, pretty much anyone with a heart. 

"Well Senator Cruz is flying to Cancun while millions of Texans do not have electricity," wrote Twitter user @Juan_Gomez18 alongside an unflattering snap and the hashtags #Priorities and #ThanksforNothingSenator.

This alarming speculation was later confirmed by several reporters. "Just confirmed @SenTedCruz and his family flew to Cancun tonight for a few days at a resort they've visited before," reporter and ex-MSNBC anchor, David Shuster wrote. "Cruz seems to believe there isn't much for him to do in Texas for the millions of fellow Texans who remain without electricity/water and are literally freezing."

Later, Fox News independently verified the story, speaking to an anonymous Republican source about the snaps. "The photos speak for themselves," the anonymous source told the publication. Soon after, a number of historically credible outlets like the AP, Reuters and the New York Times began picking up the report.

Amid what sounds like a slightly more apocalyptic version of former New Jersey Senator Chris Christie's beach fiasco back in 2017, in which he and his family enjoyed a day at Island Beach State Park, which was closed to the public due to a government shutdown, Cruz seems to have realized the error of his ways (or at least the detriment to his public image) and is reportedly heading back to the states. 

"Here's the upgrade list for this afternoon's flight from Cancun to Houston. Looks like ⁦@tedcruz is on his way back, @danpfeiffer. He's just narrowly missing the upgrade list That's assuming that "cru, r" is him,"  Jake Sherman, a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC wrote of the senator, whose legal first name is Rafael. 

Knowing the shitstorm he's facing  -- literally and metaphorically -- upon his return to the Lone Star State, ABC News White House Reporter, Ben Siegel says the politician has reportedly tapped local police for assistance upon his arrival. "JUST IN from @houstonpolice, via @emcabcnewsprod: "Cruz's staff contacted HPD personnel at IAH on Wednesday ... and requested assistance upon the Senator's arrival at the airport." "HPD officers monitored his movements through the terminal."

As the story continues to rapidly evolve, some false information has begun to make the rounds, namely a video of comedian Blair Erskine performing a skit pretending to be Cruz's Director of Communications, which some seemed to have incorrectly taken as a formal statement from the politician. "Yes, Senator Cruz is in Cancun right now, but you know, here at his offices, we say big whoop. Senator Cruz deserves to relax unwind, unplug, recharge, you know, like you would a power outlet," she said in the 52-second-long bit, which has already garnered more than 11 thousand likes. "Why can't he have his Eat Pray Love moment like everybody else can?"

So, Senator Cruz, if you're reading this, please know that you don't have to do this. Backing up President Trump in the hours leading towards the insurrection was bad enough, but fleeing the state you're sworn to represent amid a deadly weather crisis is simply cruel. If you want to leave your can simply resign -- or confess to your Zodiac-killing past. Your call, buddy. 

For more internet nonsense, follow Carly on Instagram at @HuntressThompson_, on Twitch.tv @HuntressThompson_ and on Twitter @TennesAnyone.