Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) on Monday got into a heated Twitter dispute with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban after the billionaire responded to a right-wing radio host’s comments on kneeling during the national anthem.
The flare-up started when Cuban responded to a tweet from talk radio host Mark Davis in which he declared he was excited for the NBA to return to action but would be “OUT” the minute a player kneels during the national anthem.
“Bye,” Cuban responded to the tweet before calling out Davi’s hypocrisy in a second tweet.
“The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don’t play the National Anthem every day before you start work.”
Cuban tweets triggered Ted Cruz, who didn’t appreciate the snarky response that seemed to imply the Mavericks would support their players’ rights to protest police brutality during the national anthem by taking a knee.
“Really??!? NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to ‘piss off?’ In Texas, no less? Good luck with that,” Cruz wrote.
Cuba fired back, “Have some balls for once @tedcruz. It’s my tweet.”
Cruz then brought up the ongoing controversy over the NBA’s relationship with China. The league came under fire last year after Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted pro-Hong Kong rhetoric just ahead of the league’s China series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
“Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China,” Cruz wrote. “I’ll wait.”
Cruz also lashed out at Cuban for implying that the senator was somehow trying to keep his tweet a secret by not directly tagging the Mavericks owner.
“Yes, Mark, my communication tweeting out my response to the world was meant somehow to keep it a secret. Because you’re very scary,” Cruz wrote.
Cruz sent a follow-up tweet noting that Cuban had not responded.
“Let’s try simpler. Mark, tough guy, can you say ‘Free Hong Kong?’ Can your players put that on their jerseys? Can you condemn the CCP’s concentration camps w/ 1 million Uyghurs? Can you say ANYTHING other than ‘Chairman Mao is beautiful & wise?’ Cruz asked.
Cuban responded by mocking Cruz for getting involved in domestic policies of other countries. He also provided a link to a 2019 YouTube video as proof he would speak out against China if needed and mocked Cruz for his relationship with President Trump.
Take a look at the exchange below:
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
The National Anthem Police in this country are out of control. If you want to complain, complain to your boss and ask why they don't play the National Anthem every day before you start work. https://t.co/NUwv7asO44
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Really??!?
NBA is telling everyone who stands for the flag, who honors our cops and our veterans, to “piss off”? In Texas, no less?
Good luck with that. pic.twitter.com/AVWLMZIqu0
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Have some balls for once @tedcruz. Speak to me. It's my tweet. https://t.co/QGza2qWoRR
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Speaking of balls, tell us what you think about China.
I’ll wait. https://t.co/s68JYk9MLR
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 20, 2020
Why is it, @tedcruz, that you take such pride in standing up to and speaking truth to the Chinese, but you have no ability to stand up to and speak the truth to @realdonaldtrump ?
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) July 20, 2020
Then people piled on:
I’m veteran and fought in a war. As a veteran I don’t have any problem with an athlete kneeling during the national anthem to protest. I do have a problems with cowards the likes of Mr. Cruz and Mr Trump that did not serve; yet, love to tell others how to protest.
— Raul Diaz (@rdiaz45) July 20, 2020
I found this and this its relevant.
I'd love to hear your defence. pic.twitter.com/O05TN8JOQK— Dave (@beerandanvils) July 20, 2020
As a proud veteran of the US Army, I served so people had the right to stand, sit, get a beer, or do what they want during the Anthem. I did not serve so our government could force mandatory patriotism on us. We know what that looks like, and we fought a war to stop it. pic.twitter.com/eZ5vtQOQKb
— Jacob L (@DVJakeL) July 20, 2020
— (((DrJoeSupporter))) (@DrUSofA1) July 20, 2020
Stand up for your wife you big baby.
— dbWrasslin (@DbWrasslin) July 20, 2020
The Constitution allows for freedom of expression .. even in Texas, Ted.
— Marybeth (@mhstramaglia) July 20, 2020
Go fuck yourself.
— Mike Cohen 🥑 (@sutrofog) July 21, 2020
I said I'm a proud veteran. I don't care how others feel about my service. I didn't serve for their respect, and I don't think anyone exercising their rights is shiting on my service.
— Jacob L (@DVJakeL) July 21, 2020
Anything else going on, Ted?
— Ryan, BlackLivesMatter (@RyRapture) July 20, 2020
Only a Canadian like Ted would think this.
— Field Grade Failure (@Timruns26) July 20, 2020
Coward
— Spazzy (@SpazzyChat) July 20, 2020
What is your response?
