Overview
- A photo posted by strategist Shea Jordan Smith, traced to a TikTok by Raina Esterbrook, appears to show Cruz on a United flight said to be headed toward Laguna Beach, California.
- Cruz’s office says he is on pre-planned work travel and promises he will return to Texas before the storm is projected to arrive.
- Flight-tracking data reported by KPRC shows Houston-to–John Wayne Airport nonstop flights on Jan. 20 that align with the timing of the image.
- Cruz posted that his team is monitoring the incoming cold front and directed followers to updates from Texas emergency and weather agencies.
- Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration as the National Weather Service warned of significant winter hazards across parts of Texas later this week.