On Wednesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) dissed an idea to challenge 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, Andrew Yang on the basketball court after Fox News producer, Pat Ward, tweeted, “Need a @AndrewYang @tedcruz game.” Ward also included a video of Yang shooting some hoops on a Houston court.
Cruz responded on Twitter, “Sorry. You gotta poll at 5% or more to play on my court.”
Following Senator Ted Cruz’s response, Andrew Yang replied to Cruz saying he would be “delighted” to play Cruz in basketball.
“Ted I would be delighted to beat you in basketball,” Yang tweeted in response and included a poll of the 2020 Democratic nominees.
The poll Yang sent to Sen. Cruz showed that Yang, in fact, is polling at 5%.
Senator Cruz accepted Yang’s offer to a basketball battle and wrote on Twitter Wednesday evening: “Bring it. 4 on 4, you plus three of your paid staffers vs me and three of my paid staffers (no outside ringers). Say, this Friday afternoon in Houston? The loser gives $5k to the (non-political) charity of the winner’s choice? Game?” (Continued Below)
Senator Cruz also included a meme that read in all caps, “JUST BRING IT” with his response to Yang.
Andrew Yang agreed and replied Thursday, “Let’s play one-on-one. Give the fans a show.”
This isn’t the first time Cruz was challenged to a game of basketball by someone from across the aisle. In 2018, the Texas senator faced off against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and beat him 11-9. (Continued Below)
Official tweets:
Need a @AndrewYang v @tedcruz game https://t.co/JgTk0Qbh5z
— Pat Ward (@WardDPatrick) September 11, 2019
Ted I would be delighted to beat you in basketball. 😀🏀 pic.twitter.com/RHFrdAfcZ9
— Andrew Yang🧢🗽🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 12, 2019
Bring it. 4 on 4, you plus three of your paid staffers vs me and three of my paid staffers (no outside ringers). Say, this Friday afternoon in Houston? The loser gives $5k to the (non-political) charity of the winner’s choice? Game? https://t.co/HVlssiJEA5
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2019
(Continued Below)
Hmm. You’re taller than I am. From the video, you’re probably a better shot. And, I’ve seen you dunking (on an 8-foot rim). Altogether, pretty strong. So……. https://t.co/hVlhDfKS1W pic.twitter.com/cMepUnKWlu
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2019
Shortly after it was agreed to a one-on-one game, one of Andrew Yang’s staffers responded to Sen. Ted Cruz informing him that he is a former professional basketball player.
“Hey @tedcruz I am one of his paid staffers and I am definitely a former professional basketball player. We would dominate you. I am willing to double that contribution to $10,000. @AndrewYang. let’s do it!” Jermaine Johnson wrote.
Cruz replied, “Uh…crap. Ok, now I’m glad we’re doing one-on-one instead!”
Uh…crap. Ok, now I’m glad we’re doing one-on-one instead! 🙄🙄 https://t.co/zqln6CSudA
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) September 12, 2019
