Senator Ted Cruz of Texas returned to his home state after abruptly ending his family vacation in Greece, as the region grapples with severe flooding that has claimed the lives of over 100 individuals. The natural disaster struck during the holiday weekend, with the Texas Hill Country experiencing unprecedented floodwaters. Cruz was spotted at the Parthenon in Athens on Saturday evening, just a day after the floods began their destructive path.
Before departing for his overseas trip, Senator Cruz participated in the legislative process, casting his vote on President Trump's budget bill. However, the situation back home turned dire as the Guadalupe River's rising waters ravaged Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls in Kerr County. Reports indicate that at least 27 campers and counselors perished in the tragic event, which saw floodwaters overwhelm the camp while the children were sleeping.
In response to the crisis and the scrutiny of his whereabouts, Senator Cruz's office released a detailed timeline. The statement clarified that the senator was already abroad when the disaster occurred and that he made immediate efforts to contact state officials and the President to address the unfolding situation. According to his office, Cruz "promptly booked a flight back home" and departed Athens on Sunday morning, managing to arrive in Texas by the evening due to the time difference. By Monday morning, he was present in Kerrville, receiving briefings from state officials.
The initial revelation of Senator Cruz's location during the disaster came from photos published by the Daily Beast, which led to a sharp rebuke from his spokeswoman, Macarena Martinez. She condemned the publication and defended Cruz's timely return to Texas. The incident has inevitably been compared to Cruz's previous controversial trip to Cancun during a winter storm in February 2021, which left millions of Texans without power. Following that event, Cruz admitted the trip was a mistake and promised not to repeat such actions.
During a press conference on Monday, Senator Cruz addressed unfounded speculations about weather modification, dismissing them as internet conspiracy theories. He also spoke to Fox News, criticizing the inadequate warning system that failed to alert Camp Mystic's staff in time to evacuate the children.
The disaster has also sparked a political debate over the Trump administration's cost-cutting measures and their impact on disaster preparedness. Democrats, including Representative Joaquin Castro, have raised concerns about the National Weather Service's (NWS) staffing levels following early retirement buyouts encouraged by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, dispatched by President Trump to assess the damage in Texas, defended the NWS's response, noting that staff levels were actually above average due to holiday scheduling.
