In the run-up to the 2016 election, Donald Trump and Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz were anything but friendly.
Trump referred to Cruz as "Lyin' Ted," called his wife ugly, and implied Cruz's Cuban father was involved in the JFK assassination.
The future President also commented:
"[Cruz is] a nasty guy. Nobody likes him."
"Nobody in Congress likes him."
"Nobody likes him anywhere once they get to know him."
The GOP Senator would also describe Trump as a "pathological liar" and a "sniveling coward."
But once Trump won the presidency and the support of Cruz's conservative base, however, Cruz quickly backtracked on his earlier comments and became one of Trump's most ardent defenders.
Even now, after Trump was voted out of office, Cruz took a trip down to Mar-a-Lago to kiss the former President's ring.
He shared a picture from the meeting on Twitter.
Had a great dinner tonight with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. He’s in great spirits! We spent the evening talkin… https://t.co/9dhADEYukT— Ted Cruz (@Ted Cruz) 1620179419.0
Twitter users were hard-pressed to think of a photo they liked less than this one.
siri show me literal hell https://t.co/fHlu9fH2nr— David Roberts (@David Roberts) 1620181987.0
What soul? https://t.co/tpnjrjFGCF— Schooley (@Schooley) 1620187707.0
Since Trump was voted out of office, making the trip down to Mar-a-Lago to show they still support him has become a standard Republican pilgrimage.
"He's in great spirits" 😂 Cruz trying to put Trump in the nursing home https://t.co/q4wLdOUPKY— Charles Finch (@Charles Finch) 1620182406.0
An entire political party continues to suck up to the election loser because they’re scared of his Twitter, which h… https://t.co/ajpTdKfTgn— Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@Molly Jong-Fast🏡) 1620179972.0
This is also my smile when I have a great dinner with a friend I respect. https://t.co/gsV74zeNwb— Anand Giridharadas (@Anand Giridharadas) 1620181215.0
At least it's nice to know Cruz harbors no hard feelings for Donald Trump calling his wife ugly.
Why would Texas voters trust him to keep faith with them when he dishonors his wife & his father with a smirk on hi… https://t.co/gwP8PtvmWT— Joyce Alene (@Joyce Alene) 1620181913.0
trumps body language here is amazing he is literally trying to escape 😹 https://t.co/nLZb2KOi1n— darth™ (@darth™) 1620179866.0
@tedcruz https://t.co/qhUv3eIq40— pourmecoffee (@pourmecoffee) 1620179983.0
Twitter loves to make fun of hypocrisy from politicians but photos like this make it almost too easy.
You can’t compromise with evil. You can’t negotiate with it. You can’t look the other way. You must confront, fight… https://t.co/6NGAyEl9W7— stuart stevens (@stuart stevens) 1620182982.0
@tedcruz You young kids won't believe it, but there was a time when @TedCruz wasn't a Trump bootlicker. https://t.co/AGQ72nhuSb— Jeff Jacoby (@Jeff Jacoby) 1620179878.0
@tedcruz Cruz and Trump meeting from a different angle. https://t.co/3OTF6O586D— David Rothschild (@David Rothschild) 1620180589.0
Of course, a fair share of Texans online could only think about removing Cruz from office upon seeing the photo.
@tedcruz Ted Cruz is a weak, sniveling, sycophantic coward devoid of any honor or integrity. Donald Trump called h… https://t.co/GCRnjXiZE4— Russell Drew (@Russell Drew) 1620182383.0
All the cult members are so gosh darn happy to be able to report on their cult leader’s mood. So beautiful. https://t.co/s94beT1zr3— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1620216906.0
Donald Trump may have been voted out of the White House but at least he still has his awkward fans.