Ted Cruz is feeling the heat from residents of the Big Apple who did not take kindly to his disparaging comments about New York values during Thursday’s Republican debate
Cruz lashed out at the city while firing back at billionaire front-runner—and New Yorker—Donald Trump, who had attacked Cruz previously over the Canadian-born Senator’s eligibility to run for President. In a dig at Trump, Cruz, who is currently polling in second place, said, “there are many, many wonderful, wonderful working men and women in the state of New York, but everyone understands that the values in New York City are socially liberal or pro-abortion or pro- gay-marriage, [and] focus around money and the media.”
Donald Trump quickly fired back, noting the city’s brave response to 9/11, and other New York residents from both sides of the aisle have joined together to send a wave of criticism at Cruz. The Daily News took a jab at the Texas Senator with a late-edition front-page showing the Statue of Liberty displaying her middle finger with a headline reading “DROP DEAD TED.” It continues, “Hey Cruz: you don’t like N.Y. values? Go back to Canada!” in reference to the ever evolving spat around his place of birth.
Read More: Trump Invokes 9/11 to Defend ‘New York Values’ From Ted Cruz
New York Gov. Andrew Culmo blasted Cruz on Friday morning, according to the Associated Press, demanding an apology for comments which he called “obnoxious on every level.” Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio also called for an apology:
“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am disgusted at the insult that Ted Cruz threw at this city and its people,” de Blasio said. “The bottom line is he does not understand in the least New York values.”
Former Mayor and Republican Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani also penned an editorial in the Daily News slamming Cruz for ignoring the city’s resilience after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
“After all we have been through as a city and as one undivided nation, to have a United States senator running for President paint New York as a city consumed with greed, sin and media obsession is shocking,” Giuliani wrote.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Kamala Harris Knocked Donald Trump Off Course
- Introducing TIME's 2024 Latino Leaders
- George Lopez Is Transforming Narratives With Comedy
- How to Make an Argument That’s Actually Persuasive
- What Makes a Friendship Last Forever?
- 33 True Crime Documentaries That Shaped the Genre
- Why Gut Health Issues Are More Common in Women
- The 100 Most Influential People in AI 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com