In Retrospect: The Sentencing of Ted Cruz

After Ted Cruz’s speech at the Republican National Convention, the American media assumed its role as the self-proclaimed electorate’s judge and hastily responded with diatribes. Headlines such as “Ted Cruz’s Bitter End” and “Ted Cruz’s Path to Self-Destruction” flooded the US with a current, which ultimately was directed by Republicans, specifically Trump supporters.

Ted Cruz was booed off the stage at the RNC when he failed to openly endorse Donald Trump. He said: “To those listening, please don’t stay home in November, vote your conscience.”  This came as a disappointment for all those that were hoping he’d say “vote for Trump.” Following his speech, Republicans showered him with criticisms of serving his personal interest of partaking in the 2020 election and refusing to unite the Republican Party at such a crucial time. According to Fox News, Charles Krauthammer called his speech “the longest suicide note in American political history.”  This set the stage up for the Cruz berating season.

This story could potentially have been presented in two ways by the media: Cruz is lauded for his devotion to the “true” Republican ideology, which Trump does not embody or Cruz is criticized for not adhering to the popular Republican opinions at the moment and presenting a divided front. Clearly, the media impetuously opted for the latter; this proved to be a decision that served Trump supporters more than anyone else.

However, it is rather interesting to note that the media used this opportunity to label Ted Cruz’s action as political suicide and sentenced him to defeat in the 2020 elections as well. It is unclear whether this was done purposely to serve the current Republican agenda or as an attempt to sell more news.

Regardless, the media has once again taken the role of the electorate’s judge rather than presenting Americans with information and letting them decide for themselves. This notorious ritual of influencing American perspective and declaring definite sentencing on behalf of the American people every time a story is told is a manipulation tactic that  is  detrimental for American democracy and the electorate’s right to vote. Was Ted Cruz’s sentencing fair? It is up to the American electorate to decide, however, it can certainly be argued that this sentencing alludes to the presence of a virtual aristocracy in the United States.  

Featured Image via Flickr/Gage Skidmore