REPUBLICAN SENATOR TED Cruz has been forced to apologise, after making an extended joke at the expense of US Vice President Joe Biden, as he mourns the death of his son, just three days previously.
Speaking at a rally in Howell, Michigan yesterday, the presidential candidate from Texas seemed to suggest that Biden was such an object of ridicule that the mere mention of his name was enough to cause people to “crack up.”
You don’t need a punchline…The next party you’re at, just walk up to someone, say “Vice President Joe Biden,” and just close your mouth. They will crack up laughing.
The joke, which Cruz has used repeatedly as part of his campaign “stump speech”, was criticised as being in poor taste, coming just three days after the death of Biden’s son.
Beau Biden, 46, who had been preparing to run for Governor of Delaware, died of brain cancer on Sunday, provoking a wave of sympathy for the Vice President and his family.
As shown in the video above, Cruz was confronted with this as he left the campaign event, when a reporter asked him for his thoughts on the passing of Beau Biden.
Heartbreaking and tragic. Our prayers are very much with Vice President Biden, and Jill [Biden]. It’s a tragedy no-one should have to endure.
Reporter: Why did you tell a joke about the Vice President tonight?
Cruz immediately walked away, refusing to comment.
Today, however, following widespread criticism of the timing of his joke, the controversial would-be President issued a full apology on Facebook, calling it “a mistake.”
Beau Biden was memorialised in the legislative capital of Dover, Delaware today, with his entire family in attendance.
His funeral will take place on Saturday.
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