Ted Cruz Receives Backlash For Promoting Thanksgiving As Texas COVID Cases Soar

As COVID-19 cases continue to soar across the U.S., the nation seems divided on how it will spend Thanksgiving.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz seemingly shared his stance on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Thanksgiving guidelines, which urges people to stay home during the holiday, in a Twitter post over the weekend.

The controversy began when Cruz tweeted out an image of a turkey on Nov. 21 with the message “COME AND TAKE IT.” The message has since led to backlash for the politician, and on Monday, his name was trending on the social media platform as a result.

While many were quick to slam Cruz some supported his intentions.

The majority of the criticism against Cruz appears to surround his decision to promote social gatherings while Texas remains a hard-hit state. As positive COVID-19 cases climb in Texas, personal gatherings have been capped at 10 people and businesses have also endured restricted capacity.

As of Monday, the state has had over 1.1 million positive COVID-19 cases and 21,083 COVID-19 related deaths, The New York Times reported.

Last week, El Paso County officials sent out a request for Morgue Attendants applicants for the county medical examiner’s office due to the rising number of COVID-19 deaths, The Texas Tribune reported. Cruz's post came the same day the National Guard was brought in to help overwhelmed morgues move deceased COVID-19 patients, CNN reports.

In a Nov. 19 update, the CDC urged people to stay home this holiday season amid the ongoing pandemic, stating, "the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with."

The organization noted that gatherings that include family and friends outside of your household, and traveling, can increase the chances of getting or spreading the coronavirus. “Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others this year,” the CDC added.

Cruz had not yet responded to the backlash.

This isn't the first time Cruz has been slammed over his controversial opinions. He previously received backlash after verbally attacking Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and arguing that the social media conglomerate was biased.

Cruz also drew swift criticism after calling birth control an “abortion-inducing” drug.