Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) landed back in Texas on Friday, just as a viral photo of him boarding a plane earlier in the week stirred up a social media frenzy.
On Tuesday, a photo surfaced on X showing Cruz on a plane reportedly headed to Laguna Beach, California, racking up over 9 million views. The image sparked intense online debate as Texas braced for a potentially historic winter storm expected to impact 235 million Americans across 40 states this weekend, according to FOX Weather. A spokesperson for Cruz confirmed to FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth that the senator had left on a pre-planned trip but would return before the severe weather hit.
The story took another turn on Friday when Cruz posted on X, confirming his return home from a work trip. He noted the pleasant 66-degree weather while acknowledging the looming storm expected Saturday night. A spokesperson also mentioned Cruz had attended an oversight hearing in Washington, D.C., earlier in the week on Dec. 17, 2025.
According to Fox News, the timing of Cruz’s travel has reignited discussions among Texans, with many recalling his 2021 trip to Cancun during a devastating winter storm. That event left millions without power and resulted in 246 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Cruz later admitted that the decision was “obviously a mistake.”
Social media reactions to the latest incident have been mixed, with some users defending Cruz’s right to travel for work, while others see a troubling pattern. One commenter online quipped, “I’m noticing a pattern,” hinting at frustration over perceived absences during critical times.
Critics argue that Cruz’s decision to leave, even briefly, sends the wrong message as Texans prepare for life-threatening cold, heavy snow, and crippling ice, per FOX Weather forecasts. The optics of boarding a plane while constituents stock up on supplies aren’t easily dismissed.
On Friday, Cruz attempted to lighten the mood with a tongue-in-cheek post on X. “I’ve returned home from my work trip. It’s 66 degrees & beautiful. A storm is expected tomorrow night,” he wrote, addressing the chatter head-on.
In the same post, he added, “But I am reliably informed by Twitter that if I simply raise up my hand on Texas soil, the storm will turn around & sunshine, rainbows & unicorns will emerge. Let it be.” While the humor might land with some, others may find it tone-deaf given the severity of the forecast.
Let’s be real—joking about unicorns won’t shovel snow or restore power if this storm hits as hard as predicted. Texans want leaders who are present, not posting quips from the comfort of a warm home.
The shadow of 2021 looms large here, and Cruz knows it. That Cancun trip became a symbol of disconnect for many, a moment when leadership seemed absent during a crisis. Even his own admission of error hasn’t fully erased the sting for some constituents.
Now, with another storm on the horizon, every move Cruz makes is under a microscope. A pre-planned trip might be justifiable, but the court of public opinion isn’t always forgiving when disaster looms.
Supporters, however, point out that Cruz did return before the storm, unlike in 2021. They argue the senator’s work obligations, like the D.C. hearing, shouldn’t be sidelined by speculative social media outrage.
Regardless of where one stands on Cruz’s travel, the focus now shifts to the incoming weather. This storm isn’t just a Texas problem—it’s a national concern affecting 40 states. Families across the country are preparing for the worst. Texans, especially, know the stakes after 2021’s tragedy. The state can’t afford another round of widespread outages or loss of life due to cold and ice.
Cruz and other leaders must prioritize action over optics in the coming days. If this storm delivers the punch FOX Weather predicts, every hand needs to be on deck—whether raised to stop the clouds or to help neighbors in need.
