Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz was roasted after telling President Joe Biden to "kiss my a**" while swigging a beer during a live Newsmax interview.
Cruz's bizarre outburst was fueled by an erroneous understanding of alcohol consumption guidelines. Falsely asserting that "these idiots" were suggesting a two-beers-per-week limit, Cruz's anger demonstrated a lack of clarity about the existing guidelines and their implications.
He also capitalized on an earlier manufactured conservative outrage concerning a floated "ban" on gas stoves by the commissioner for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) due to the toxic chemicals released that can contribute to childhood asthma.
You can hear what Cruz said in the video below.
Before drinking a beer on camera, Cruz said:
"What is it with liberals that want to control every damn aspect of your life?"
"One of the first things they wanted to do was ban gas stoves. New York state has now done that for new construction. They're trying to go after and regulate ceiling fans."
"And now these idiots have come out and said, 'drink two beers a week,' that's their guideline. Well, I've got to tell you, if they want us to drink two beers a week, frankly they can kiss my a**!"
Cruz's remarks came after Fox News reporter Peter Doocy left White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre taken aback when asked if Biden supports limiting Americans to just two beers a week.
The controversy originated from comments made by Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Koob suggested that U.S. alcohol guidelines could potentially change in the future, hinting that the country might consider moving closer to Canada's recommendation of no more than two drinks per week.
However, these comments were speculative and not indicative of any imminent policy changes.
Cruz's performative outrage made him the subject of immediate mockery online.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is anticipated to revisit its alcohol consumption guidelines in 2025 when it releases revised Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Currently, the USDA advises women to limit alcohol intake to one bottle of beer, a small glass of wine, or a shot of liquor per day, while men are recommended to consume up to two drinks a day.
Despite claims about potential health benefits from alcohol, Dr. Koob clarified that such perceived advantages are often tied to overall diet rather than alcohol consumption itself. He emphasized that the benefits are more likely linked to a Mediterranean diet and socio-economic factors that enable healthier eating habits that "make[s] you able to afford that kind of diet and make your own fresh food and so forth."
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