Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is facing widespread backlash from US veterans groups and former service members after he fired off a tweet in which he implies the Russian military is superior to the US, claiming that new promotional videos are pushing a “woke, emasculated military.”
The Republican senator made the remark on Twitter on Thursday, sharing a video displaying an apparent Russian military advertisement showing images of men with shaved heads doing push-ups and jumping out of a plane. The video then cuts to an animated story of U.S. Army Cpl. Emma Malonelord discussing her mothers’ wedding, marching for LGBTQ rights and joining the military.
“I like to think I’ve been defending freedom from an early age,” Malonelord said in the ad.
“Holy crap. Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea….” the Texas senator wrote.
The tweet immediately sparked backlash, generating so many response tweets that #emasculaTED trended on Twitter, The Washington Post reported.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel who lost her legs in combat back in 2004, fired back with her own tweet.
“Holy crap. Perhaps a U.S. Senator shouldn’t suggest that the *Russian* military is better than the American military that protected him from an insurrection he helped foment?” Duckworth wrote.
“Perhaps he should be thanking these badass women?” Duckworth added in a follow-up tweet that included a picture of female troops outside the U.S. Capitol.
Holy crap.
Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea…. https://t.co/8aVFMW98NM
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 20, 2021
Holy crap.
Perhaps a U.S. Senator shouldn't suggest that the *Russian* military is better than the American military that protected him from an insurrection he helped foment? https://t.co/Ja3P78wnrv
— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyDuckworth) May 20, 2021
Just checked on what you were doing around 9/11 and it seems you were a senior official in the administration that launched two endless wars, one with no point and one with no justification?
— Zd (@Zeddary) May 20, 2021
Holy crap. You did this: pic.twitter.com/41JH7ZRCyX
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) May 20, 2021
You're welcome to move to Russia if you'd like. In fact, we would strongly prefer it.
— Shay (@ShadyPlanes) May 20, 2021
So a sitting senator is degrading a US Army corporal for cheap political points while also spreading Russian propaganda? Neat. pic.twitter.com/lzmert1Baj
— *insert clever name here* (@Spark898) May 20, 2021
Also, I'm not sure you want to be calling the military "emasculated" after you rolled over for the man who mocked you as Lyin' Ted, called your wife ugly, and said your father killed JFK.
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) May 20, 2021
It's incredibly frustrating to have a sitting Senator degrading the service of a woman who raised her hand, volunteered, and is currently serving honorably.
— Lethality Jane (@LethalityJane) May 20, 2021
LMFAO, the guy who carried the balls of the asshole who called his wife UGLY is talking about "emasculated."
Maybe sit this one out, Fled Cruise.
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) May 20, 2021
#CowardCruz #KremlinCruz #EmasculaTed
Tammy Duckworth is a hero who served her country flying combat missions and still serves her country after the sacrifices she made in a war zone.
Rafael Ted Cruz tried to ban sex toys, healthcare for Americans and democracy. pic.twitter.com/YTEAfMlgvg
— Boston Grandpa 🤟 Vote BLUE ‘22 (@Boston_Grandpa) May 21, 2021
Attacking an active duty service member on Twitter because she doesn't fit your narrative — very classy of you, senator.
US Army Corporal Emma Malonelord is more of a patriot than you will ever be, Ted.
— Kendall Brown (@kendallybrown) May 20, 2021
