Senator Ted Cruz’s teenage daughter, Caroline, just went viral, and not for cheering him on. During his victory speech after winning another Senate term, Caroline’s reaction stood out. When Cruz praised Donald Trump, his 16-year-old daughter didn’t hide her feelings—she visibly grimaced and seemed to say, “Don’t clap for that.”
Ted Cruz’s daughter isn’t a fan of Donald Trump. Smart kid.
pic.twitter.com/ozae2z6MtS— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) November 8, 2024
The moment quickly blew up on TikTok. In a video with almost 4 million views, people noticed her expression. Many found her reaction relatable. One person wrote, “She didn’t even try to hide it,” while another added, “The ‘don’t clap for that’ is so valid.” Caroline’s honest reaction brought in thousands of comments, mostly positive, as people praised her for not faking support for Trump.
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Cruz, 53, had a lot to celebrate on November 5. He won another six years in the Senate, defeating Democrat Colin Allred. In his speech, Cruz talked about his win, accusing Democrats of “trying to buy this Senate seat” and celebrating the support he received from Latino voters. He promised to “crack down on illegal immigration” and, towards the end, shared his wish for Trump’s 2024 presidential victory. “I hope and pray that Donald Trump will be re-elected as President of the United States,” Cruz said. The crowd cheered, but Caroline’s reaction said it all.
In 2022, Caroline also posted a now-deleted TikTok explaining that she “really disagrees with most of his views.” In the video, she shared how people assume she thinks like him because he’s her dad. “A lot of people judge me based upon him at first glance,” she said, showing how difficult it is to have her own views while being a senator’s daughter. Her account went private soon after, as her post attracted a lot of attention.
For some, Caroline’s reaction is more than just a funny TikTok moment—it shows a larger shift in American politics. Many young people, even those from Republican families, aren’t interested in supporting Trump or his style of politics. Studies show younger generations are leaning away from Trump and even from traditional conservative values. They’re more open to different viewpoints and less interested in extreme politics. Caroline’s reaction highlights this shift.
People online were quick to share their thoughts. “WE LOVE THIS DIVA!” one user posted, with others agreeing that it was a bold move. Her reaction may also reflect what many young Americans are feeling but not always saying. They’re willing to question and challenge even the most popular or powerful leaders.
Ted Cruz hasn’t said anything about his daughter’s reaction, but he continued his speech that night, focused on his own plans. Cruz is a strong Trump supporter, which he made clear in his speech, even though he and Trump have disagreed before. But Caroline’s honest reaction reminds us that not everyone in his family feels the same way about Trump. Her reaction shows that young people today aren’t afraid to show their real feelings, even if it means disagreeing with their family. This might show a growing gap between older Republicans and younger generations who may want a different future for politics.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
