Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, during an oversight hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In 2021, Cruz was slammed for traveling to Cancun, Mexico, with his family the same week that Texas dealt with a winter storm that left millions of people without power and ultimately caused 246 deaths, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Cruz later admitted that the decision was "obviously a mistake."
His comments Friday came after a photo was posted on X on Tuesday showing Cruz aboard a plane that was reportedly heading to Laguna Beach, California.
FOX WEATHER TO PROVIDE EXTENDED LIVE COVERAGE OF WINTER STORM IMPACTING THE NATION
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, returned home to Texas before the state was impacted by what is forecast to be a substantial winter storm. (Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
The post quickly went viral, gaining more than 9 million views, with users both defending and blasting the senator.
"I’m noticing a pattern," one person responded.
A spokesperson for Cruz confirmed to FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth that the senator left Tuesday on a pre-planned trip, vowing that the senator would return ahead of the inclement weather.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The winter storm is expected to impact 235 million Americans across 40 states this weekend, according to FOX Weather, and many areas will experience life-threatening cold weather, heavy snow and crippling ice.
Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.sinkewicz@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/cruz-back-texas-after-photo-him-boarding-plane-sparks-backlash-ahead-winter-storm