Ted Cruz calls French's post "idiotic" without calling it racist
Ted CruzU.S. Senator (R-TX)
Sen. Ted Cruz called Bo French's post "idiotic" and said he wished it hadn't been sent, without characterizing it as racist.
“Look, it was an idiotic tweet that he sent. I wish he hadn't sent it. And I got to say, I am celebrating every student at UT, and I was proud to be there in Austin, and it was a hell of a win. Hook 'em horns.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Was Bo French’s UT Austin post racist?
After the University of Texas football team’s September 12, 2026 comeback win over Ohio State, Republican Railroad Commission nominee Bo French posted a still image of apparent South Asian fans and called what it showed a “problem.” He later said social media was exposing Americans being displaced by foreigners and accused UT of prioritizing foreigners over Texans. French and several supporters framed the posts as a legitimate criticism of immigration and admissions policy. Republican and Democratic officials, along with other commentators, condemned the use of the fans’ appearance as racist or xenophobic. Governor Greg Abbott rejected French’s interpretation of the image while reaffirming support for restrictive immigration policies.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Reports Cruz's first public comment on French's post, made outside a Senate Judiciary hearing; corroborated by Mediaite.
Before the quotation
Speaking to NBC's Frank Thorp V outside a Senate Judiciary hearing on September 15, 2026.
After the quotation
Cruz's comments were the first from him on French's post, distinct in tone from Cornyn's and Burrows's earlier, sharper criticism.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Cruz directly criticizes the post as "idiotic" and says he wishes French had not sent it. He does not call it racist or ask French to apologize or withdraw it, so his criticism is milder than Cornyn's or Burrows's.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Bo French
More from this case
Read the full caseRosenthal calls donations a rejection of French
“The people are rejecting this bold, racist campaign of his.”Read statement
Krishnamoorthi calls French’s UT fan post a xenophobic attack
“The Department of Education seems to be playing dog whistles to Bo French’s tune just days after his xenophobic attack on South Asian students for cheering for their own college football team. South Asian Americans are as American as anyone.”Read statement
French says his UT fan posts were about culture, not race
“It’s fair to say that Texas doesn’t look and feel like it did when I was a kid, and that’s not racist.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Ted Cruz calls French's post "idiotic" without calling it racist". First published: 2026-09-16. Last updated: 2026-09-26. https://disputeindex.com/events/757-sen-ted-cruz-called-bo-french-s-post