Written by Bobbie Wylie
Senator Ted Cruz, R-TX, said during a Thursday interview with Clay Tavis and Buck Sexton on their radio show that he supports the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) for their “extraordinary courage” in speaking out regarding missing tennis star Peng Shuai.
Peng Shuai has seemingly disappeared following a social media post in which she accused Zhang Gaoli, a former high-ranking member of the Chinese Communist Party, of sexual assault. Within an hour, the post was removed and Shuai had disappeared. About Shuai, Cruz says, “She was the No. 1-ranked women’s doubles player in the world, the only Chinese national to be ranked No. 1 in the world, and they just disappeared her.”
Senator Cruz applauded Shuai for her “enormous courage” in coming forward regarding her sexual assault. Cruz also commended the WTA for their “extraordinary courage” for speaking out on the Shuai’s disappearance and for “giving up millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars” to cancel events in China. Senator Cruz added, “I would like to see courage be contagious and more people stand up.” Cruz also commended NBA player Enes Kanter for also standing up to China despite the NBA continuing to defend the CCP. Kanter, who is from Turkey, recently became a United States citizen and has been a critic of China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Kanter also changed his last name to Freedom after his citizenship ceremony. Cruz said, “I’m grateful that [Enes Kanter Freedom] is showing courage and the Women’s Tennis Association is showing courage.
Senator Cruz’s comments come amid calls for the United States to boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, placing pressure on the Chinese Communist Party to take responsibility for human rights abuses. The potential of a diplomatic boycott by the United States would mean that no US officials would attend the games; a bold, yet necessary move for the United States to take a stand against many human rights abuses by the Chinese Communist Party.
Photo Cred: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
