Overview

• During a September 30 Senate hearing, Sen. Ted Cruz said “Let’s stop attacking pedophiles” while urging bipartisan agreement, a moment captured on C‑SPAN.
• Cruz moved on without correcting the phrase and cited Washington, D.C., crime declines he attributed to President Trump’s crackdown, including drops he put at 58% for homicides, 57% for robberies, and 40% for sexual crimes.
• A clip shared by the X account “King Purcival” drew roughly 6,000 views and widespread mockery, according to Mediaite’s report.
• Some social-media users questioned whether the video was manipulated, though the remark appears in the official hearing recording.
• Mediaite contextualized the gaffe alongside other charged moments in the Senate that day, including a heated exchange involving Sen. Josh Hawley.