Politics

Pete Buttigieg brought star power to the Transportation Department. Insiders explain how he's winning over his new staff, the White House, and Republicans.

Hello everyone!Welcome to this weekly roundup of stories from Insider's Business co-Editor in Chief Matt Turner. Subscribe here to get this newsletter in your inbox every Sunday.What we're going over today:Our profile of Secretary Pete's quest to make the Transportation Department cool again.67 powerful Black women CEOs and executives on their time in corporate America.The rise and fall of Nikola founder Trevor Milton, who convinced the world he was the next Elon Musk.An inside look at Google's ...
Tags: Google, Amazon, Facebook, White House, America, Trends, Tesla, Joe Biden, Chicago, Democrats, Gop, Ted Cruz, Iowa, Sergey Brin, Silicon Valley, Biden

Ted Cruz's claims about undocumented people getting $1,400 stimulus checks were shot down by Dick Durbin as 'just plain false'

Senator Dick Durbin on the Senator floor on Saturday. C-SPAN2 Senator Dick Durbin offered a rebuke to Senator Ted Cruz over who would get $1,400 stimulus checks.  They would go to "every illegal alien in America," Cruz said. "The statement of the senator from Texas is just plain false," Durbin said Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Senator Dick Durbin on Saturday offered a searing rebuttal to claims made by Senator Ted Cruz about undocumented immigrants getting stimul...
Tags: Politics, Texas, Senate, US, America, Trends, Ted Cruz, Biden, Donald Trump, Stimulus, Cruz, Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen Cruz, Durbin, Dick Durbin, COVID-19

MSNBC host and former Republican congressman Joe Scarborough says there's 'no doubt' that the GOP is 'unsavable'

"Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough. William B. Plowman/NBC/NBC Newswire/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Joe Scarborough said on HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher" that the Republican Party was "unsavable." Scarborough, who served in the US House as a Republican, now identifies as an independent. "What issues does this guy share with conservatives?" Scarborough said of former President Trump. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. In 1994, Joe Scarborough was elected to Congre...
Tags: Hbo, Politics, Texas, Congress, Russia, US, Trends, Joe Biden, Gop, Missouri, House, Ted Cruz, Scarborough, Republican Party, Msnbc, Donald Trump

America's oldest college debate society votes to strip Ted Cruz of a prestigious Princeton honor for public service

Princeton University's American Whig-Cliosophic Society has voted to rescind its highest honor from Sen. Ted Cruz Getty Images Princeton's American Whig-Cliosphic Society voted to strip Sen. Ted Cruz of a public service award. Society members voted 37-32 in favor of rescinding the honor, The Daily Princetonian reported. Cruz is facing criticism for his role in the insurrection on January 6 and an ill-timed Cancun trip. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. America's o...
Tags: Politics, Texas, News, Education, College, Senate, America, Trends, Society, Joe Biden, Ted Cruz, News UK, Princeton, Cruz, Trump, Cancun

How much Did Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Jr.'s claims of 'cancel culture' help drive sales of Dr. Seuss books? Insider takes a closer look.

A statue of author Theodor Seuss Geisel in the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Brian Snyder/Reuters Many Dr. Seuss books topped bestsellers list this week, but what drove the sales?  Republicans including Ted Cruz and Donald Trump Jr. said "cancel culture" had come for Dr. Seuss. Telegram users implied they'd bought the titles because of the controversy.  Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Back in 1984, when he was 43 books into his career, Theodor Geisel...
Tags: Amazon, Books, Publishing, Politics, Ebay, White House, Trends, Reagan, Joe Biden, Analysis, Racism, Ted Cruz, Retail, Ussr, Biden, Donald Trump

10 hours in Cancún hurt Ted Cruz's job approval more than when he tried to flip the presidential election

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, checking into Cancun International Airport on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. MEGA/GC Images via Getty Images Sen. Ted Cruz's approval ratings dropped in recent weeks, a new poll from Morning Consult shows. Cruz traveled to Mexico during a recent winter storm that caused millions of Texans to lose power and water. His approval rating is lower now than when he objected to certifying the 2020 presidential election. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. GOP ...
Tags: Politics, Texas, News, Mexico, Trends, Pennsylvania, Gop, Ted Cruz, Arizona, Donald Trump, Winter Storm, Cruz, Trump, Cancun, Capitol, CANCUN Mexico

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shoots back at Ted Cruz, saying he treated storm-hit Texas as a 'layover' between trips to Cancun and CPAC

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez visits homes that were damaged by the winter storm in Houston. Elizabeth Conley/Reuters Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez hit back at Sen. Ted Cruz after the Texas Republican mocked her during his CPAC speech.  Ocasio-Cortez again criticized Cruz for fleeing his home state during the recent electrical grid collapse.  The two lawmakers have feuded since the New York Democrat accused Cruz of helping incite the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot.  Visit the Business sec...
Tags: Politics, New York, Texas, News, White House, Trends, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Orlando, Cancun, Aoc, Sen Ted Cruz, CANCUN Mexico, CPAC, Eliza Relman, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Trump calls for GOP unity at conservative convention, repeats lies about election loss

ORLANDO, Fla. — Taking the stage for the first time since leaving office, former President Donald Trump on Sunday called for Republican Party unity, even as he exacerbated intraparty divisions and trumpeted lies about the election in a speech that made clear he intends to remain a dominant political force. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he has been hailed as a returning hero, Trump blasted his successor, President Joe Biden, and tried to cement his status as the ...
Tags: Florida, Texas, Supreme Court, Obama, Congress, Washington, Senate, White House, America, Barack Obama, Georgia, Sport, Joe Biden, Ap, Soccer, Gop

From a golden statue to Trump hinting at a second and third presidential run, here are some striking moments from CPAC

Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency on February 28, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images GOP lawmakers and supporters flocked to the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend. CPAC this year was marked by an allegiance to Trump and an expectation that he will remain influential. Here are the most striking — and the weirdest — moments of the four-day event. Visit the Business section...
Tags: Twitter, Florida, Politics, Texas, News, Mexico, White House, Politico, Trends, Joe Biden, Features, Gop, United States, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota

From a golden statue to Trump hinting at a third presidential run, here are some striking moments from CPAC

Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency on February 28, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images GOP lawmakers and supporters flocked to the Conservative Political Action Conference this weekend. CPAC this year was marked by an allegiance to Trump and an expectation that he will remain influential. Here are the most striking — and the weirdest — moments of the four-day event. Visit the Business section of Insid...
Tags: Twitter, Florida, Politics, Texas, News, Mexico, White House, Politico, Trends, Joe Biden, Features, Gop, United States, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota

Congressman Matt Gaetz doubles down on his defense of Ted Cruz's Cancún vacation

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference being held in the Hyatt Regency on February 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Rep. Matt Gaetz has accused the media of being "biased" in their reporting of Ted Cruz's Cancún trip. Gaetz said the news media were more concerned about the trip than "caravans going through Mexico." The congressman previously said that Cruz shouldn't have apologized for his vacation. Visit the Business section of I...
Tags: Florida, Politics, Texas, Mexico, White House, Trends, Ted Cruz, News UK, Yougov, Donald Trump, Cruz, Trump, Cancun, Orlando Florida, CANCUN Mexico, Hyatt Regency

Ted Cruz mocked Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at CPAC after the congresswoman raised millions for his Texan constituents

Senator Ted Cruz speaks at CPAC. John Raoux/AP Photo Sen. Ted Cruz mocked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for her response to the Capitol insurrection. Cruz said: "Especially now, the left, they are shrill. They are angry." Speaking at CPAC, Cruz also took aim at Sen. Bernie Sanders for wearing mittens.  Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Senator Ted Cruz on Friday mocked New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has raised millions for his Texas constituents,...
Tags: Texas, White House, Trends, Joe Biden, Ted Cruz, Houston, Cruz, Bernie Sanders, Orlando, Reuters, Cancun, Aoc, Capitol, CPAC, Sylvia Garcia, Houston Food Bank

Ted Cruz said the Republican Party is 'not just the party of country clubs' but CPAC is fixated on Donald Trump - a man who literally lives at one

People take a picture with former President Donald Trump's statue on display at the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency on February 27, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images Sen. Ted Cruz said the GOP is for the working class and "not just the party of country clubs." But CPAC, where Cruz was speaking, seemed to be all about Donald Trump, who lives at a club he also owns. Cruz himself was criticized last week for leaving frigid Texas to visit ...
Tags: Florida, Politics, Texas, Washington, Mexico, Senate, White House, Trends, Gop, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Republican Party, Donald Trump, Cruz, Orlando, Trump

Ted Cruz engages in an online spat over Biden's HHS secretary nominee who sued the Trump administration more than 100 times

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) during a Senate hearing on November 17, 2020. BILL CLARK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Ted Cruz opposes the nomination of Xavier Becerra as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Cruz insists that the role should be filled by a scientist and not an attorney. Kevin M. Kruse called out Cruz for dismissing Becerra's tenure as a former congressman and current attorney general. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, well-known fo...
Tags: Politics, Texas, California, Kentucky, Senate, US, Trends, Joe Biden, Gop, Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, Fox News, Biden, Donald Trump, Cruz, Ben Carson

From dreams of the presidency to 'Flyin' Ted': How Ted Cruz became the most ridiculed senator in US politics

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) walks out of a meeting room for the lawyers of former President Donald Trump and back to the Senate floor in Washington, DC, on February 12, 2021. Jabin Botsford - Pool/Getty Images Once touted as the next president, Ted Cruz is now one of the most controversial people in Congress. The senator is back in the spotlight after taking a trip to Mexico during a deadly winter storm. Scroll down to read more about the life and career of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. Visit the Business...
Tags: Politics, New York, Texas, Supreme Court, Obamacare, Congress, Washington Post, Washington, Mexico, Senate, Israel, Disney, US, Barack Obama, Trends, Reagan

Ted Cruz rants about comedians, late night TV, and mask-wearing before shouting at people to 'just have fun' in wild CPAC speech

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex. John Raoux/AP Photo Ted Cruz's CPAC speech began with a joke about the Cancun scandal and ended in a guttural scream about freedom. Cruz railed against late night TV, mocked mask-wearing, and expressed his support for Trump. "That is our party," he yelled, "and these deplorables are here to stay." Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's speech at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference went off the rails Friday as he ...
Tags: Politics, Texas, Washington, US, Los Angeles, Trends, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, John F Kennedy, Houston, Donald Trump, Cruz, Trumpism, Trump, State, Cancun

CDC head warns of concerning US shift in Covid cases: 'Now is not the time to relax restrictions' – live

Dr Rochelle Walensky: ‘Data suggest that declines may be stalling’Omar leads calls to fire Senate official who scuppered $15 wage riseHouse will vote on $1.9tn Covid rescue plan todayAttack groups want to ‘blow up Capitol’ during Biden speech, police chief warnsSign up to receive First Thing – our daily briefing by email 5.27pm GMT Some progressives have called on Senators to “overrule” or even fire the Senate parliamentarian after she determined that a proposed $15-an-hour minimum-wage incr...
Tags: Texas, Cdc, Senate, White House, US, Joe Biden, US news, Minimum Wage, US politics, Ted Cruz, US Congress, Republican, Biden, Cruz, Kamala Harris, David Smith

Ted Cruz yells about comedians, late night TV, and mask-wearing before shouting at people to 'just have fun' in wild CPAC speech

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex. John Raoux/AP Photo Ted Cruz's CPAC speech began with a joke about the Cancun scandal and ended in a guttural scream about freedom. Cruz railed against late night TV, mocked mask-wearing, and expressed his support for Trump. "That is our party," he yelled, "and these deplorables are here to stay." Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's speech at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference went off the rails Friday as he ...
Tags: Politics, Texas, Washington, US, Los Angeles, Trends, Joe Biden, Ted Cruz, John F Kennedy, Houston, Donald Trump, Cruz, Orlando, Trump, Cancun, Donald J Trump

Ted Cruz's colleagues mocked him by putting memes of his Cancun trip in the Senate gym locker room: 'Bienvenido de Nuevo, Ted!'

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex. Andrew Harnik/AFP via Getty Images Ted Cruz's Senate colleagues had some fun at his expense on Wednesday, according to NBC News. Photos of Cruz from his infamous Cancun trip were plastered around the Senate gym's locker room. "Bienvenido de Nuevo, Ted!" the color printouts for the prank read, or "welcome back." Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. With so many former class presidents crammed into one place, Capitol Hill proved vulnerable to high sch...
Tags: Politics, Texas, Nbc, Congress, Mexico, Kentucky, Senate, Trends, Joe Biden, Ted Cruz, Capitol Hill, Houston, Vermont, Cruz, Bernie Sanders, Cancun

Former House Speaker John Boehner can be heard telling Ted Cruz to 'go f--- yourself' in an audiobook recording, report says

Former House Speaker John Boehner. Alex Edelman/Getty Images John Boehner went off script while recording the audiobook of his new memoir, Axios reported. In one session, the former House speaker reportedly called out Ted Cruz, saying "go f--- yourself." Cruz was recently vilified for flying to Cancún as a winter storm swept his home state of Texas. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Former House Speaker John Boehner went off script while recording the audiobook of hi...
Tags: Politics, Texas, Congress, Nbc News, Trends, House, Ted Cruz, News UK, John Boehner, Boehner, Republican Party, Cruz, Reuters, Cancun, Sen Ted Cruz, CANCUN Mexico

While President Biden visits storm-torn Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz will be giving a speech on 'cancel culture' in Florida

While the president visits storm-torn Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz will be at CPAC. ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images President Joe Biden is heading to Texas on Friday to survey storm recovery efforts. But he won't be meeting with either Sens. Cruz or Cornyn. Cruz will be giving a speech on cancel culture at CPAC that day instead.  Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. President Joe Biden heads to Texas on Friday to tour some of the hardest hit areas ...
Tags: Florida, Politics, Texas, White House, Trends, Joe Biden, Gop, Ted Cruz, Houston, Biden, Donald Trump, Winter Storm, Cruz, Abbott, Greg Abbott, Cancun

While Biden visits storm-torn Texas, Sen. Ted Cruz will be giving a speech on 'cancel culture' in Florida

Sen. Ted Cruz will be at CPAC while President Joe Biden visits Texas. ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images Doug Mills-Pool/Getty Images President Joe Biden is heading to Texas on Friday to survey storm-recovery efforts. But he won't be meeting with Sens. Ted Cruz or John Cornyn. Cruz is set to give a speech on cancel culture at CPAC that day. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. President Joe Biden heads to Texas on Friday to tour some of the areas hit hardest by the winter...
Tags: Florida, Politics, Texas, White House, America, Trends, Joe Biden, Gop, Ted Cruz, Houston, Biden, Winter Storm, Cruz, Abbott, Greg Abbott, Cancun

Ted Cruz was filmed using his phone while a former police chief testified about violence at the Capitol

Ted Cruz Getty Sen. Ted Cruz was pictured using his phone during Tuesday's hearing on the Capitol riots. The former chief of Capitol police was giving an account of the violent scenes in the January 6 riot. Cruz was criticized last week for flying to Mexico during deadly storms in Texas. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Sen. Ted Cruz was filmed using his phone during Senate testimony from the former Capitol police chief who said that the riot "constituted the worst a...
Tags: Politics, Texas, News, Washington, Mexico, Senate, Trends, Ted Cruz, Cruz, Trump, Cancun, Sen Cruz, Sheldon Whitehouse, Capitol, Sen Ted Cruz, Heidi

Ted Cruz says his wife is 'pissed' over leaked Cancún texts, suggests people 'just don't be a--holes'

Sen. Ted Cruz checking in at Cancun International Airport on Thursday. MEGA/GC Images via Getty Images Sen. Ted Cruz said his wife was "pissed" over leaked group texts about their trip to Cancún, Mexico. "Here's a suggestion: Just don't be a--holes," Cruz said during a podcast interview. Cruz has faced a wave of backlash for traveling to Cancún amid a deadly winter storm in Texas. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas on Tuesday said his wife, Heidi...
Tags: Politics, Texas, News, Mexico, Trends, Getty Images, Ted Cruz, New York Times, Fox News, Cruz, Trump, Cancun, Sean Hannity, Sen Ted Cruz, Heidi, CANCUN Mexico

Ted Cruz says his wife is 'pissed' over leaked Cancun texts, suggests people 'just don't be ---holes'

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., checking into Cancun International Airport on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021. MEGA/GC Images via Getty Images Ted Cruz said his wife was "pissed" over leaked group texts about their Cancun trip.  "Here's a suggestion: just don't be ---holes," Cruz said during a podcast interview.  Cruz has faced a wave of backlash for traveling to Cancun amid a deadly winter storm in Texas. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. GOP Sen. Ted Cruz on Tuesday said his wife, H...
Tags: Politics, Texas, News, Mexico, Trends, Gop, Ted Cruz, New York Times, Fox News, Cruz, Trump, Cancun, Sean Hannity, Sen Ted Cruz, Heidi, CANCUN Mexico

Ted Cruz says the media is 'obsessed' with his Mexico trip because it's 'suffering from Trump withdrawal'

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas appearing on Fox News' "Hannity." Fox News Texas Sen. Ted Cruz addressed his Mexican vacation scandal on Fox's "Hannity" show on Monday. Cruz flew to Cancún as a winter storm crippled his state, leaving millions without power. He said the media "obsessed" over the vacation because it's "suffering from Trump withdrawal." Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said he thinks the media is "obsessed" with his Mexican vacation s...
Tags: Politics, New York, Texas, Mexico, Trends, Ted Cruz, News UK, Fox News, Andrew Cuomo, Abc News, Cruz, Trump, Cancun, Sen Cruz, Sean Hannity, Sen Ted Cruz

Texas AG Ken Paxton and wife, Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, left for Utah during Texas freeze to have meetings about antitrust lawsuits

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton testifies in front of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, just a few days before a grand jury indicts him on three felonies. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images Texas AG Ken Paxton and his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, left for Utah last week as Texas froze, according to the Houston Chronicle. Paxton is one of several Texas public officials to have left in the middle of the crisis. Visit the Business section of Insider...
Tags: Google, Utah, Politics, Texas, News, US, Trends, Ted Cruz, Salt Lake City, Dallas Morning News, Cancun, Houston Chronicle, Paxton, Ken Paxton, Texas AG, Sean Reyes

Ted Cruz called for state energy regulation despite lauding Texas' lack of regulation 2 years ago

GOP Sen. Ted Cruz gestures as he speaks to members of the media during the fifth day of the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, February 13, 2021. Erin Scott/Reuters Ted Cruz wants regulators to "act swiftly" on high energy bills from the Texas winter storm. In 2019, however, Cruz lauded Texas for low regulation in its energy sector. In 1999, Texas shifted control of its energy grid to private generators and other groups. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stori...
Tags: Weather, Politics, Texas, News, US, Trends, Policy, Gop, Ted Cruz, Storm, The New York Times, Houston, Donald Trump, Cruz, Power Outage, Sen Ted Cruz

A GOP congressman from Texas slams Ted Cruz as it emerges he took his college roommate on Cancun trip

Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) questions witnesses during a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing looking into the firing of State Department Inspector General Steven Linick, on Capitol Hill, in Washington D.C., U.S., September 16, 2020. Kevin Dietsch/Pool via REUTERS Kevin Dietsch/Pool via REUTERS A Texas GOP congressman slammed Sen. Ted Cruz for his Cancun trip during winter storms that crippled the state. Rep. Michael McCaul said: 'When a crisis hits my state ... I'm not g...
Tags: Florida, Politics, Texas, News, Washington, Mexico, Trends, Joe Biden, Cnn, Gop, Ted Cruz, House Of Representatives, Capitol Hill, Associated Press, State Department, Republican

GOP congressman from Texas slams Ted Cruz as it emerges he took his college roommate on Cancun trip

Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas. Kevin Dietsch/Pool via REUTERS Rep. Michael McCaul slammed Sen. Ted Cruz for going to Cancun, Mexico, during winter storms in Texas. "When a crisis hits my state, I'm there. I'm not going to go on some vacation," McCaul told CNN. Axios reported on Sunday that Cruz had invited his college roommate on the trip. Visit the Business section of Insider for more stories. Republican Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas criticized Sen. Ted Cruz for flying to Cancun,...
Tags: Florida, Politics, Texas, News, Nbc, Mexico, Trends, Joe Biden, Cnn, Gop, Ted Cruz, Associated Press, Houston, Princeton, Gates, Cruz