Bloomberg Talks: Ted Cruz Talks Government Shutdown, No Kings Rallies
Date: October 20, 2025
Host: Julie (Bloomberg)
Guest: Senator Ted Cruz
Episode Overview
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, on the 20th day of the government shutdown. Topics include the ongoing political stalemate, the impact on federal workers (especially at airports), the mass “No Kings” rallies over the weekend, allegations of manufactured protests, rising political polarization and rhetoric, free speech and “jawboning,” and NASA’s Artemis program in the context of U.S.-China competition.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Government Shutdown and Aviation Impact
- Immediate Impacts: Senator Cruz emphasizes the pressures faced by federal workers, particularly TSA agents and air traffic controllers, who are working without pay.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 00:57): “There are 50,000 TSA agents right now who are working with no pay...14,000 air traffic controllers who expected to come into work, but they didn’t get a full paycheck. This needs to end. It’s not right. It’s not fair.”
- Political Stalemate: Cruz asserts Republican unity in efforts to reopen the government and blames Democrats for prolonging the shutdown.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 00:57): “The Democrats keep voting to keep the shutdown going, and it’s irresponsible.”
- Blame and “Hostages”: He traces responsibility to a lack of Democratic votes, characterizing Democrats as “holding...the American people hostage.”
2. Political Dynamics and Shutdown Resolution
- Senate Math: Cruz explains the need for 60 votes to pass funding and the importance of Democratic cross-aisle votes.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 02:14): "In order to fund the government under the Senate rules, you need 60 votes. In the Senate there are only 53 Republicans, which means we need at least seven Democrats."
- Democratic Fears: He suggests Democrats are afraid of backlash from their base, referencing “No Kings” rallies.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 02:14): "...the Democrats were terrified of reopening the government before they saw the radicals. And the phrase I kept hearing was that C.H. Schumer was afraid his head would be on a pike. Metaphorically…"
3. “No Kings” Rallies – Analysis and Skepticism
- Peaceful but Skeptical of Size: Cruz is pleased violence was avoided but doubts the reported turnout figures, citing old video misattributed to the event.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 04:10): "I was glad that there were not significant acts of violence. That’s certainly a positive development...I'm a little skeptical about [the total number]."
- Claims of Astroturfing: He characterizes the protests as manufactured, not organic, and attributes funding to organizations allegedly backed by George Soros.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 04:10): “This protest was not organic...this is also bought and paid for...George Soros foundation has given millions to Indivisible, one of the lead groups organizing these protests.”
- Democratic Anger as a Mobilizing Force: He claims the protests primarily reflect “Democrat rage” directed at Donald Trump.
4. Republican Strategy for 2026 Midterms
- Importance of Taking Opposition Seriously: Cruz cautions Republicans not to dismiss the movement, drawing a parallel with the Tea Party’s origins.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 06:09): “Unquestionably we should take political peril seriously...it's dangerous. And I’m telling my colleagues, look, if the election in 2026 depends on results, I think we have a lot to campaign on.”
- Fundraising Disparities: Notes Democrats' fundraising advantage due to energized base.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 06:09): “In terms of fundraising, the Democrats are raising a lot more money because their radicals hate Trump so much and look angry, energized voters show up to vote.”
5. Political Rhetoric, Violence, and Free Speech
- “Jawboning” and Free Speech: Cruz introduces bipartisan concerns about government pressure on media and tech companies (“jawboning”), referencing his proposed legislation to counteract it.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 08:26): “...when this FCC mentioned that as a possibility, I thought it was important to say, look, government should not be in the business of censoring, whether I agree with the speaker or not.”
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 09:19): “I’m introducing legislation, jawboning legislation that would...make it illegal for the federal government to do what the Biden administration did widely, which is pressure private organizations, pressure Big Tech to engage in censorship.”
- Press Freedoms Across Parties: He recounts his opposition to attempts by both Democratic and Republican administrations to pressure or de-license media outlets.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 08:26): “I led the fight to say, no, just because you don’t like what Fox News is saying, the federal government doesn’t get to strip their license away.”
6. NASA, Artemis Program, and the New Space Race
- Competition with China: Expresses concern about Chinese lunar ambitions and asserts U.S. must lead in space exploration.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 10:18): “There’s a unifying theme...and that is producing jobs and beating China. And we need to beat China going to the moon. China has stated they intend to go to the moon by 2030. And we cannot lose the race to the moon.”
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 11:00): “If we wake up in a few years and see China on the moon...I think it would be a blow to America that would make Sputnik seem mild.”
- Support for Sean Duffy at NASA: Praises current acting administrator Sean Duffy for his commitment to the Artemis mission.
- Quote (Senator Cruz, 10:18): “I think Sean Duffy is doing a fantastic job as the acting administrator. He’s really dived into the role.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the shutdown’s emotional toll:
“It’s not right. It’s not fair. And I think Democrats are holding not only the US Government hostage, but holding the American people hostage.” — Ted Cruz [00:57] -
On the nature of the protests:
“They're almost all old white people. They're basically boomers in Mass. Which was fairly amazing.” — Ted Cruz [04:10] -
On political mobilization:
“Elections can be dangerous when one side is mobilized, is angry. I'll tell you, in terms of fundraising, the Democrats are raising a lot more money because their radicals hate Trump so much…” — Ted Cruz [06:09] -
On pressuring media & Big Tech:
“Government should not be in the business of censoring, whether I agree with the speaker or not.” — Ted Cruz [08:26] -
On the new lunar race:
“If we wake up in a few years and see China on the moon...I think it would be a blow to America that would make Sputnik seem mild.” — Ted Cruz [11:00]
Timeline & Timestamps
- 00:22 – Introduction to shutdown crisis and Cruz’s Capitol Hill perspective
- 00:57–02:14 – Cruz describes airport impacts, blames Democrats, insists shutdown must end
- 02:14–03:48 – Explains Senate math, partisan divisions, anecdote on “No Kings” rally pressure
- 04:10–05:54 – Assessment of “No Kings” rallies: skepticism, peaceful nature, charges of astroturfing
- 06:09–07:42 – Republican risk assessment, energy on the political left, campaign implications for 2026
- 08:09–09:54 – Free speech, government ‘jawboning’, new legislation and previous FCC controversies
- 10:18–11:54 – NASA, Artemis program funding, U.S.-China lunar rivalry, praise for NASA leadership
Summary
This episode offers a sharp, vivid picture of the shut-down’s real-world effects, a candid account of political maneuvering and protest organization, and a window into Senator Cruz’s policy thinking on technology, space, and free speech. Cruz’s language is forceful and unapologetically partisan, blending warnings about Democratic mobilization with appeals to Republican achievement. He closes with a patriotic call to action on NASA and the new space race, underscoring U.S. technological and geopolitical leadership.