Senator Ted Cruz, once a vocal critic of Donald Trump and now one of his staunchest allies, made waves on Sunday with comments that some saw as a subtle return to his more independent roots.
Cruz, who has supported Trump on key issues throughout the campaign, raised eyebrows with his remarks about Trump’s decision to grant a 90-day extension for TikTok to continue operations in the U.S.
“If we are sitting here 91 days from now and TikTok is still live and China still controls it, that will be a very dangerous situation… It is a potent propaganda tool,” Cruz stated.
While the senator stopped short of directly criticizing Trump’s plan, some observers were quick to point out inconsistencies in his position. Journalist Pete Pachal quipped, “So it’s not dangerous on the 89th day?” highlighting the perceived contradiction in Cruz’s warning against TikTok while Trump’s extension gives the app more time to operate.
Cruz also weighed in on legislative strategy, diverging from Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) over how to handle the next major legislative agenda. Trump and Johnson have favored a “one big, beautiful bill” approach to consolidate key measures. Cruz, however, suggested breaking it into two separate bills.
“This is a tactical disagreement,” Cruz explained, according to The Hill. While Cruz’s comments may appear subtle, they reflect his willingness to voice concerns about Trump’s policies while maintaining support for the overall agenda.
Critics and supporters alike are watching closely to see how Cruz navigates his role as a leading Republican voice during Trump’s presidency. As Trump prepares to take office, Cruz’s remarks about TikTok and legislative tactics could signal occasional friction within Republican ranks, even as the party rallies behind its incoming leader.