In the latest edition of politicians engaging in false equivalence, controversial congressman Madison Cawthorn tried to compare Barack Obama’s birthday bash to the outcry over Republican Ted Cruz’s visit to Mexico in February – right when his constituency of Texas was facing a weather crisis which left more than 100 people dead.
Cawthorn, a North Carolina representative who once described a visit to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest vacation house as “such a good time”, made the remarks on Monday, after the former president celebrated turning 60 at his home at Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday.
Writing on Twitter, Cawthorn said: “Democrats were outraged when Ted Cruz took a trip to Cancun, but remain silent about Obama’s birthday bash… funny how that works.”
People reports that black masks were provided for guests - though many chose not to wear them – but mandatory for those staffing the celebration, which was “scaled back” due to concerns over the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
They add that a medical professional was consulted to ensure all Covid guidance was adhered to, and that the outdoor event was attended by around 200 people – all of whom were family and close friends.
Meanwhile, David Axelrod, a former Obama adviser, told The New York Times that guests – which reportedly included celebrities such as John Legend, Alicia Keys, Oprah Winfrey and couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z – were asked if they had been vaccinated, and to provide a negative Covid test ahead of the event.
In contrast, Cruz decided to jet off to Mexico in February, right when Texas was facing a major disaster after storms hit the US state. He was memed, forced to return to Texas following a backlash and later nicknamed ‘Cancun Cruz’ – which he clearly didn’t like.
So, when you put it like that, it really isn’t funny at all.
Twitter didn’t see the funny side, either:
Cruz left a freezing state with a power outage for warmth and sun in Cancun, Obama held an outdoor Birthday bash where everyone was checked or vaccinated for covid beforehand. Your road apples to oranges comparison doesn’t work.
— Schrödinger's Cat (@JimJlr2) August 9, 2021
As an ACTUAL TX resident whose power was on and off for a week during a blizzard and had resorted to shoveling show into my toilet tanks so I could flush them in the dark:
— Dan Magaha (@dgackey) August 9, 2021
Yeah, we were pretty pissed at Cruz. It's totally the same thing as a former POTUS not wearing a mask. 🙄
I'm from Texas an I'm still outraged about Ted Cruz trip to Cancun. I'm an Independent voter. President Obama is no longer in office! What I have read about his birthday bash. It was scaled down considerably. Mask had to be worn temperatures were taken.
— Ms Bennie (@bpridgon) August 9, 2021
Now do your Eagle's Nest trip of a lifetime pic.twitter.com/bGGQGNUaBO
— 𝑼𝒏𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒏 (@CaptainQuint) August 9, 2021
How can you possibly compare those two situations? Do you think anything thru before you tweet it or say it?
— Kansas Republican No More (@mitch2849) August 9, 2021
What is the correlation?
— Cath66🇱🇷☮️🌊 (@CathRogers6) August 9, 2021
?? how are they remotely the same.
— baba jayden 🇰🇪 (@Kinyan_Man) August 9, 2021
Seems like a bit of a different scenario, Cruz was trying to escape a utility crisis instead of dealing with it for his constituents. Obama, no longer in office, was having a bday bash with vaccinated people. Do you not see the contrast?
— WhyAren'tYouFreakingOut? (@Only1Planet4All) August 10, 2021
We were outraged that a Senator, elected to represent the people of Texas, abandoned his leadership post to hit Cancun... That a celebrity is having a Bday party? I mean, they're likely all vaccinated... So 🤷♂️
— Merlin B. Love (@merlinblove) August 10, 2021
If you had a speck of grey matter you would know that it works like this: Ted Cruz is a sitting US Senator from Texas who fled Texas during a catastrophe to go on vacation; Obama is a retired president with no responsibilities who had a party at his house in Martha's Vineyard.
— #DefundThePolice 🌻🌹 (@Tom4CongressNY6) August 10, 2021
He had a Covid-safe birthday. He didn’t flee his state because it was uncomfortable to be where Texans were freezing and suffering serious property damage. NOT THE SAME THING, Misrepresentative Cawthorn.
— Cate (@CoffeeCate144) August 9, 2021
"funny how that works" from a guy who clearly has no clue about why his analogy is nonsense on multiple levels. https://t.co/gHoK5z2xAG
— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) August 10, 2021
Looks like the only bash taking place here is Twitter users pointing out the flaws in Cawthorn’s tweet.
