Ted Cruz denies reporter’s request to wear a mask: ‘You’re welcome to step away if you’d like’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R–Texas) denied a reporter’s request that he wear a mask during a press conference on Wednesday.

While speaking at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C., a reporter asked Cruz, “Would you mind putting on a mask for us?”

Cruz replied, “Uh, when I’m talking to the TV camera I’m not going to wear a mask,” adding that all his Senate colleagues have been immunized against COVID-19.

“It would make us feel better,” the reporter said.

“You’re welcome to step away if you’d like,” Cruz said. “The whole point of the vaccine — CDC guidance is what we’re following.”

Cruz later tweeted, “Lefty reporters have lost their minds. #commonsense.”

Cruz was speaking to reporters about the upcoming Congressional Delegation trip to the southern border on Friday.

Republican representatives have organized a trip to the border to hear directly from individuals affected by the border crisis.

Cruz will be joining Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) on the trip and they have extended the offer to the Democratic lawmakers in a letter addressed to Chairman Jerry Nadler on Wednesday.

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