Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) aired his displeasure with NFL players protesting the national anthem Monday on Twitter and suggested a boycott of those players and their merchandise.
Cruz was responding to ESPN analyst Jalen Rose’s praise for players who protested peacefully. In a series of two tweets, Cruz gave the polar opposite take:
To all the athletes who have made millions in America’s freedom: stop insulting our flag, our nation, our heroes. https://t.co/GrGPYX8HCh
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2016
Here’s a peaceful protest: never buy another shoe, shirt, or jersey of rich spoiled athletes who dishonor our flag. https://t.co/GrGPYX8HCh
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2016
Cruz also retweeted model Kate Upton’s takedown of these players, who called their actions “unacceptable.”
This is unacceptable. You should be proud to be an American. Especially on 9/11 when we should support each other. https://t.co/qFozwaH9Bu
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) September 11, 2016
On Sunday, the first full day of NFL regular season play, several players and teams followed San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s lead and protested in various ways. New England Patriots players Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs’ Marcus Peters, raised their fists at the end of the national anthem; four Miami Dolphins players kneeled during the anthem; and in a previously hinted-at protest, Seattle Seahawks staff and players linked arms for the song.
Old Carnival Cruz just doesn’t get it, does he?
Shorter Cruz: Since I am a Millionaire, I can decide that other rich folks shouldn’t have right to Free Speech if I disagree with it.
“Ted Cruz has always been a jerk: Four reasons why even the George W. Bush team hated him!”
C’mon TPM. They’re not protesting the national anthem, they’re protesting the police indiscriminately killing black people.
Cruz should be protesting the fact no one cares what he says.