Ted Cruz claims ‘Christ is King’ is anti-Semitic, sparks backlash; ‘Is he a Christian?’

Cruz said the phrase “Christ is King” has been spread on social media, especially among far-right groups like Nick Salter’s harassers, as a way to assert Christian dominance over Jews. Cruz said that while he agrees with the phrase itself, he finds himself divided over the way it is used on social media to attack Jews.

“I agree with Christ as King,” Cruz said. “Even though the way it’s used online is to say, ‘Fuck you, Jews.’ They’re attacking Jews and ending with ‘Christ is King’ makes it seem like there’s a biblical basis for attacking Jews.”

However, the comments sparked a backlash against Cruz, a Southern Baptist Christianity himself. Many on social media slammed his comments, accusing Cruz of being anti-Christian.

“Ted Cruz is concerned that you saying the phrase ‘Christ is King’ will offend people because it is clearly being used in an anti-Semitic way,” one user wrote. “Cruz claims the phrase is being used as ‘anti-Semitic code’ against Jews. What’s wrong with Ted Cruz?”

“OMG…Ted Cruz is so stupid for now saying ‘Christ is King’ is Groiper’s rallying cry, which evokes images of pitchfork-wielding crusades,” one person wrote.

“Ted Cruz is a liar. We’re going to get a megaphone and go on the Christ the King First Amendment Tour,” one wrote.

“This is a sitting U.S. Senator who views genuine expressions of Christian faith as an act of hate. Taking advantage of the actions or words of a small group of people with whom he disagrees, he lumps all who claim Christ as King into a hate group,” another said.

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Cruz launched his 2016 presidential campaign at Liberty University and worshiped at Houston’s First Baptist Church. His missionary father, now a pastor in Dallas, influenced his conservative Christian stance on issues such as religious freedom.