Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) made headlines for his unintentional comedic moment on national television recently. The conservative senator went on a passionate rant against Democrats for not showing enthusiasm towards Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency. This department, which claimed to have uncovered fraud and corruption, led to the dismissal of thousands of federal workers.
During his appearance on “Hannity,” Cruz seemed to struggle with drinking water as he criticized Democrats for not supporting Musk’s efforts to dismantle USAID, a government agency that provides civilian foreign aid. He accused Democrats of defending the agency instead of celebrating Musk’s supposed findings.
In a bizarre moment, Cruz choked on his water and ended his tirade with the absurd statement, “sex change operations in Guatemala!” This moment quickly went viral on social media, with users mocking the senator’s inability to drink water.
The alleged fraud that Cruz criticized involved a $2 million USAID grant to an LGBTQ rights group in Guatemala. Contrary to Cruz’s claims, the grant was not solely used for surgeries but also financed medication, mental health care, and speech therapy. Only a small portion of the funds has been allocated to the organization since April 2024.
Cruz has a history of opposing transgender rights, making it a focal point of his reelection campaign in 2024. He has even launched investigations into companies like Bud Light for featuring trans influencers in their ads.
Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has been dismantling federal agencies under the Trump administration, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. Both voters and social media users have criticized Musk’s role as a special government employee.
Despite the serious implications of the issues discussed, Cruz’s water-choking incident has become a source of amusement online. The senator’s struggle with drinking water has added a touch of humor to an otherwise contentious political debate.