It looks like Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is picking another fight from his seat in Congress, but it’s not with one of his fellow lawmakers across the aisle. Instead, the Texas politician is going after Elmo, the lovable, childlike monster character from Sesame Street.
Cruz was upset that on a recent episode of the long-running children’s TV series, Elmo, Cruz said, “aggressively” promoted the COVID-19 vaccine for young kids. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that children from six months to five years old were now eligible to receive the vaccination.
In a clip from Sesame Street, Elmo shows his bravery after getting inoculated. Later, Elmo’s father expressed that he had many questions about the vaccine and whether it was safe.
“I talked to our pediatrician, so I could make the right choice,” he said. “I learned that Elmo getting vaccinated was the best way to keep himself, our friends, neighbors and everyone else healthy and enjoying the things they love.”
Apparently, using puppets to help advocate for health measures was too much for Cruz to take. “Thanks, [Sesame Street] for saying parents are allowed to have questions!” Cruz tweeted. “You then have [Elmo] aggressively advocate for vaccinating children UNDER 5. But you cite ZERO scientific evidence for this.”
It didn’t take long for Cruz’s critics to lay into him for his ridiculous grievance.
This isn’t the first time Cruz has disapproved of Sesame Street. Last November, he called out Big Bird for tweeting that he had received the vaccine. “Government propaganda…for your 5 year old!” he tweeted at the time.
It’s too bad Saturday Night Live is on break right now. They had a lot of fun mocking Ted Cruz for his war on Muppets last time.