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Liam O'Dell
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In the latest edition of politicians engaging in false equivalence, controversial congressman Madison Cawthorn tried to compare Barack Obama’s birthday bash to the outcry over Republican Ted Cruz’s visit to Mexico in February – right when his constituency of Texas was facing a weather crisis which left more than 100 people dead.
Cawthorn, a North Carolina representative who once described a visit to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest vacation house as “such a good time”, made the remarks on Monday, after the former president celebrated turning 60 at his home at Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday.
Writing on Twitter, Cawthorn said: “Democrats were outraged when Ted Cruz took a trip to Cancun, but remain silent about Obama’s birthday bash… funny how that works.”
People reports that black masks were provided for guests - though many chose not to wear them – but mandatory for those staffing the celebration, which was “scaled back” due to concerns over the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
They add that a medical professional was consulted to ensure all Covid guidance was adhered to, and that the outdoor event was attended by around 200 people – all of whom were family and close friends.
Meanwhile, David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, told The New York Times that guests – which reportedly included celebrities such as John Legend, Alicia Keys, Oprah Winfrey and couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z – were asked if they had been vaccinated, and to provide a negative Covid test ahead of the event.
In contrast, Cruz decided to jet off to Mexico in February, right when Texas was facing a major disaster after storms hit the US state. He was memed, forced to return to Texas following a backlash and later nicknamed ‘Cancun Cruz’ – which he clearly didn’t like.
So, when you put it like that, it really isn’t funny at all.
Twitter didn’t see the funny side, either:
@CawthornforNC Cruz left a freezing state with a power outage for warmth and sun in Cancun, Obama held an outdoor B… https://t.co/q2Iv3tPfY0— Schrödinger's Cat (@Schrödinger's Cat) 1628546083
@CawthornforNC As an ACTUAL TX resident whose power was on and off for a week during a blizzard and had resorted to… https://t.co/inaEso1oVg— Dan Magaha (@Dan Magaha) 1628540355
@CawthornforNC I'm from Texas an I'm still outraged about Ted Cruz trip to Cancun. I'm an Independent voter. Presid… https://t.co/qlrnskJwuV— Ms Bennie (@Ms Bennie) 1628549896
@CawthornforNC Now do your Eagle's Nest trip of a lifetime https://t.co/bGGQGNUaBO— 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒏 (@𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒏) 1628545039
@CawthornforNC How can you possibly compare those two situations? Do you think anything thru before you tweet it or say it?— Kansas Republican No More (@Kansas Republican No More) 1628539608
@CawthornforNC What is the correlation?— Cath66🇱🇷☮️🌊 (@Cath66🇱🇷☮️🌊) 1628539482
@CawthornforNC ?? how are they remotely the same.— fafa wa jayden (@fafa wa jayden) 1628539266
@CawthornforNC Seems like a bit of a different scenario, Cruz was trying to escape a utility crisis instead of deal… https://t.co/6sdIPu8hf9— WhyAren'tYouFreakingOut? (@WhyAren'tYouFreakingOut?) 1628558736
@CawthornforNC We were outraged that a Senator, elected to represent the people of Texas, abandoned his leadership… https://t.co/jZMOwnk7cl— Merlin B. Love (@Merlin B. Love) 1628565513
@CawthornforNC He had a Covid-safe birthday. He didn’t flee his state because it was uncomfortable to be where Texa… https://t.co/2V9VaGWRUb— Cate (@Cate) 1628539807
"funny how that works" from a guy who clearly has no clue about why his analogy is nonsense on multiple levels. https://t.co/gHoK5z2xAG— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1628568015
Looks like the only bash taking place here is Twitter users pointing out the flaws in Cawthorn’s tweet.