Ted Cruz's passion for public self-owns

I hope you find something in life you enjoy as much as Cruz enjoys reminding people about his trip to Cancun.

Cruz on his way to the Senate chamber on Wednesday. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

I’ve long said that shamelessness is the MAGA superpower, and nobody embodies it more fully than Ted Cruz. But the junior senator for Texas is unique among Trump supporters in how often he uses his superpower to own himself.

Consider a tweet Cruz posted Wednesday morning, in which he went way out of his way to remind everyone that almost exactly a year ago, as a winter storm left millions of his constituents without electricity or running water, he tried to leave the state for a family vacation in Cancun — only to be forced to make an embarrassing return to the US the next day after Twitter users posted photos of him in the airport and on the plane (he then tried to blame his kids for the fiasco).

Cruz drew attention to this as part of a tweet that was meant to own President Biden. But it’s hard to imagine anyone will remember anything about it other than Cruz beclowning himself.

Ted Cruz @tedcruz

Inflation is out of control. Gas prices are ⬆️ Food prices are ⬆️ Lumber prices are ⬆️ And tickets to Cancun are up 32%!

This is far from the first time Cruz has done something like this. On at least three occasions since October, he’s reminded everyone of his ill-fated trip to Cancun.

Ted Cruz @tedcruz

Cancun is lovely this time of year.

GOP @GOP

Joe Biden has decided to go on vacation YET AGAIN. He is running away from all the problems he has caused.

Ted Cruz @tedcruz

Don’t think I’ve ever been trending three times simultaneously: TC, Rafael & Cancun. Libs are really triggered by Big Bird.

And even when he doesn’t explicitly bring it up, he seems to be encouraging people to dunk on him for it. Consider the following tweet Cruz posted from his government account on Monday and my response to it:

Aaron Rupar @atrupar

✅ Boarding pass to Cancun

Senator Ted Cruz @SenTedCruz

It is better to be over prepared than underprepared for winter weather. Things to have on hand as the winter weather approaches: ✅ Extra warm clothes & blankets ✅ Portable lights and extra batteries ✅ First-aid kit ✅ Extra nonperishable food and water for family and pets

A layup, right? But Cruz’s thing for humiliating himself goes beyond Cancun.