WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) talks with reporters in during a recess in the impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on January 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, which started Tuesday, resumes today and is expected to last three to five more weeks. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
A reporter at the Capitol approached Texas Sen. Ten Cruz (R). Cruz appeared to be in an upbeat mood when the conversation began. However, Cruz turned defensive when questioned about his podcast, Verdict, and the questionable payments surrounding it.
“I understand you have a mission to write an attack piece,” Cruz told the reporter.
The thrice-weekly Verdict podcast hosted by Cruz has raised legal and ethical questions. In March, the Houston Chronicle reported that iHeartMedia gave “Truth and Courage,” a super PAC supporting Cruz’s reelection, more than $630,000. iHeartMedia hosts Cruz’s podcast.
Campaign laws forbid candidates from corresponding with super PACs that support them. While it is not yet confirmed that Cruz has directly supported Truth and Courage, the connection between his podcast and iHeartMedia could raise legal trouble for the senator.
The Campaign Legal Center and End Citizens United have already filed a complaint against Cruz with the Federal Election Commission. The oil company BP America has pulled its ads from Verdict, stating that it “was never informed” that its advertising funds were “going directly to a super PAC.”
Cruz’s team has yet to release a statement on the matters aside from accusing the media of trying to shut down the senator’s podcast.
Cruz has a Supreme Court case against the FEC where Cruz challenges existing campaign laws, including the cap on how much candidates can raise after their election. The current cap stands at $250,000, a measure to prevent corruption.
Cruz claimed the law “disincentivized any challenger from taking the risk and loaning their own money to their campaign.”
Cruz’s silence on the matter may be a protective measure as he prepares to face off against Democratic opponent Collin Allred for the Texas Senate seat in November. The senator narrowly won reelection six years ago by just three points.
In 2021, Cruz was caught heading to Cancun while Texas suffered its worst blackout in history.
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