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john kerry
You can hear what Cruz and his fellow Republicans said in the video below.
Cruz said:
"John Kerry has a private jet that has flown dozens of times this past year all around the country. I don't know about you, but I don't have a private jet. I don't believe any of the people on this stage have their own private jet."
At that point, Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy from off camera informed Cruz Senator Rob Portman, who represents Ohio, owns a private jet. Portman's wealth was estimated at $10,827,545 by Open Secrets in 2018 and $10,400,00 by Roll Call in January so the claim rang true in the moment to everyone including Cruz.
But Portman later stressed on Twitter that he flies on Delta Airlines twice a week in coach.
Portman was standing to the left behind Cruz.
People noted Portman didn't seem to let Cruz Kennedy's correction wasn't true—only sharing that fact well after the press event was over.
The Recount later shared Portman's office stated the comment by Kennedy—and the Ohio Senator seeming to confirm it during the press event—was intended as a joke.
The moment still proved an embarrassing one for Cruz as even members of his own party appeared to be making jokes at his expense.
@egi9781/Twitter
Cruz's comments about Kerry are rather ironic considering the criticism that has been leveled at him for his own travel decisions.
In February, he made headlines for flying to Cancún while millions of people went without water and power as a result of the Texas power crisis. At least 210 people were killed directly or indirectly, with some estimates as high as 702 killed as a result of the disaster.
Cruz later blamed criticism on "Trump withdrawal," implying attacks against him were only taking place because of former President Donald Trump's absence from the news cycle in the weeks after President Joe Biden took office.
Cruz claimed he only went to Cancún to accompany his daughters, an excuse that did not sit well with his critics. His wife's text messages later contradicted his story.
His official social media accounts had not acknowledged any travel until a photo of Cruz at the airport went viral.