Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is once again at the center of America’s political storm, sparking controversy on multiple fronts as he navigates the aftermath of a record-breaking government shutdown, sharp divides within the Republican Party, and a brewing rivalry with Vice President JD Vance ahead of the 2028 presidential election. Over the past week, Cruz’s name has dominated headlines, with his outspoken criticism of both conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and the Democratic Party, as well as his behind-the-scenes maneuvers in the Senate, prompting speculation about his future ambitions and the direction of the GOP.
On November 20, 2025, Cruz took the stage at a live SiriusXM town hall in New York City, hosted by sports commentator Stephen A. Smith. The event quickly turned heated when Smith voiced his discomfort with Tucker Carlson’s recent commentary on Israel. Cruz didn’t mince words, declaring, “Listen, Stephen, you and I are on exactly the same page on this.” According to VINnews, Cruz warned that Carlson’s trajectory—marked by increasingly vocal criticism of Israel—could be steering him toward “anti-Semitism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Americanism.”
Cruz went further, drawing a direct comparison between Carlson and New York Democratic socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, whom Cruz described as both an “Islamist” and a “socialist” who is vocally critical of Israel. “And you look at Tucker, Tucker’s going down that road too in a way that I think is very dangerous,” Cruz said. He argued that unchecked hostility toward Israel, especially from both sides of the political spectrum, could have dire consequences for the United States. “If we have a country where both parties are viciously anti-Israel and welcoming and even celebrating anti-Semitism, that is an ugly place,” Cruz warned.
These remarks come at a time when Cruz and Carlson have been publicly sparring over U.S. support for Israel and the specter of rising anti-Semitism within conservative circles. Cruz, a longtime supporter of Israel, has previously accused Carlson of giving a platform to extremist voices and has questioned the commentator’s shifting positions on foreign policy. Neither Carlson nor Mamdani responded immediately to requests for comment on Cruz’s statements.
But Cruz’s combative stance isn’t limited to media personalities. In his first local TV interview since the end of the 43-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—Cruz sat down with KHOU 11’s Marcelino Benito in Houston. He didn’t hold back, calling the shutdown “reckless and irresponsible,” while placing the blame squarely on Democrats. “After 43 days, eight Democrats said, ‘OK, we’ve inflicted enough pain on the American people. We’ll allow the government to open,’” Cruz said, as reported by KHOU 11. “Sadly, the American people paid the price.”
The deal to reopen the government, Cruz noted, only funds federal operations through January 30, 2026, setting up the possibility of another shutdown showdown. “There’s a real risk on January 30 that Democrats force another shutdown,” he warned, attributing the standoff to what he described as the Democratic Party’s “anger and hatred at Trump.”
Democrats, for their part, have placed responsibility for the shutdown on Republicans, particularly over the GOP’s refusal to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies. With the deadline for those subsidies looming on January 1, 2026, Texans could face significant spikes in health insurance premiums if Congress fails to act. When asked about his position, Cruz signaled he would not support extending the subsidies. Instead, he advocated for a White House-backed plan to expand Health Savings Accounts, saying, “Rather than give that money to health insurance companies, we should give that money to consumers. I think that’s what we’re going to do—expand HSAs and put money directly in patients’ pockets.”
However, Cruz acknowledged uncertainty about the timeline for passing any alternative plan, admitting, “It depends on the timing. We are actively discussing and negotiating these issues with the White House.” With less than two months before the subsidy deadline, there is still no clear timetable for a vote or final agreement.
Speculation about Cruz’s own political future is mounting. When asked about reports that he is preparing for a 2028 presidential run, Cruz deflected, saying, “My focus right now is representing 31 million Texans, and it’s an incredible privilege.” Yet, behind the scenes, the political chess game is in full swing.
According to NOTUS, the White House and its allies believe Cruz is positioning himself against Vice President JD Vance ahead of the 2028 race, using his perch as chair of the Senate Commerce Committee to take stances at odds with the Trump administration. Cruz has reportedly been a thorn in the side of the White House, battling over nominations, calling critical hearings, and seeking subpoena powers that would allow him to call in Trump administration officials and tech industry allies at will.
One flashpoint has been the nomination of Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator. While Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles pushed for Isaacman, Cruz favored Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the former interim NASA administrator. After a record-long government shutdown, Cruz scheduled a hearing for Isaacman in early December, delaying the confirmation process. “The roadblocks that Ted is putting up in front of the president’s nominee for NASA administrator — someone who’s gone through the hearing and is qualified — only serve as a desperate attempt to relaunch a political career as a protest candidate,” a source close to Trump told NOTUS.
Cruz’s spokesperson pushed back on these claims, stating, “Cruz has been the point of the spear in advancing much of President Trump’s legislative agenda. From leading the fight to secure the border, to serving as the President’s lead defender during both impeachments, to holding the Biden DOJ accountable... Sen. Cruz has repeatedly worked hand-in-hand with President Trump to deliver real results for the American people.” The spokesperson added, “Sen. Cruz and President Trump are very good friends, and no amount of sniping from disgruntled anonymous staffers trying to score political points is going to change that.”
Tensions have also flared over free speech and Big Tech. Cruz, who has a long history of defending First Amendment rights, recently criticized FCC Chair Brendan Carr for threatening to revoke ABC’s broadcast license after the network suspended Jimmy Kimmel for comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. On his podcast, Cruz called Carr’s remarks “dangerous as hell” and likened them to “mafioso” tactics, referencing the film Goodfellas. Cruz has scheduled Carr to testify before the Commerce Committee on December 17, 2025.
Despite these clashes, Cruz has emphasized his commitment to defending free speech and pushing back against what he describes as government and corporate overreach. “Our First Amendment right to freedom of speech is under attack, as radicals on the left try to silence anyone who disagrees with them,” Cruz said in 2024. “The path forward requires us to stand firm against those who seek to suppress free speech. I remain committed to fighting our ‘first freedoms.’”
With the clock ticking toward another possible government funding crisis, rising healthcare costs, and a presidential race already casting its shadow over Washington, Senator Ted Cruz’s actions and words are sure to keep him—and the debates he stirs—at the heart of America’s political conversation.
