Overview

• In a CNN interview, Sen. Ted Cruz called Kaitlan Collins' claim that law enforcement had not laid out a motive "objectively false" and labeled it misinformation.
• He asserted investigators identified the suspect as a left-wing activist who hated Charlie Kirk, a characterization Collins did not accept.
• On his "Verdict" podcast, Cruz said Collins "did not want the facts" and accused her of sticking to a political narrative.
• Left-leaning outlets pushed back, with Crooks and Liars saying Cruz miscast a separate Minnesota killing as leftist and citing AP reporting that the shooter had Republican ties and attended Trump rallies.
• The confrontation comes as President Donald Trump allies blame left-wing groups for Kirk's assassination and Attorney General Pam Bondi promises action on "hate speech."