Ted Cruz Faces Backlash for Defending Trump’s 9/11 Story

Senator Ted Cruz criticized for defending Trump's disputed 9/11 anecdote, sparking online outrage.

September 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Texas Senator Ted Cruz has drawn sharp criticism after coming to the defense of former President Donald Trump over a controversial 9/11 anecdote that lacks supporting evidence.

During a speech on the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., Trump recounted an account of being escorted from a structurally compromised building by firefighters days after the 9/11 attacks. He described being lifted by two “big, strong” firefighters who helped him escape as the structure creaked.

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CNN’s Kaitlan Collins questioned Cruz about the claim, but he defended Trump, emphasizing the president’s New York roots and emotional connection to the event. However, critics like leftist streamer Hasan Piker and political commentator Garry Kasparov called out the senator for his support, with some labeling him a “bootlicker” for backing a leader who had previously insulted his wife during the 2016 GOP primary.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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