Ted Cruz quotes Mel Gibson — I mean William Wallace — at CPAC
Ted Cruz at CPAC 2021 Photo by Getty/Joe Raedle/Staff
By PJ Grisar February 26, 2021
Ted Cruz is once again having a totally normal one.
After the latest in a series of questionable Hollywood metaphors — this time invoking “Star Wars” — the senator from Texas wrapped a speech at CPAC by invoking the immortal death cry of Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace. Really, he was just quoting Mel Gibson, which is never a good look.
“Mark my words, 2022 is going to be a fantastic election year, as is 2024, as we stand together and defend liberty, defend the Constitution, defend the Bill of Rights of every American,” Cruz said in a Howard Dean-esque display of yelling. He ended by saying, “In the immortal words of William Wallace ‘FREEDOM!’”
The screammmmmmmmm!!!!
— Molly Jong-Fast? (@MollyJongFast) February 26, 2021
A few problems. Depending on who you ask, William Wallace’s primary language was either courtly Norman French or Early Scots/Middle English. In the latter case the word is “fredom.” The French is “liberté.” So there is some doubt as to what the real Wallace would have screamed at the moment of his grizzly execution as depicted in “Braveheart.” Thankfully, we don’t really need to consider last words at all if we’re going by history.
The reason? The actual Wallace had just been disemboweled at the moment of his death and so couldn’t speak, much less do so with gusto! We get you might still be hazy from the Cancun airport lounge piña coladas, Senator Cruz, but that seems like a pretty important detail.
Why not say what you mean then and cite Mel? Or the character Mel created based on the historical figure who wouldn’t have worn a kilt or done most of the stuff he did in the film.
You’re not cancelling Gibson. Are you, Ted?
PJ Grisar is the Forward’s culture reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism so that we can be prepared for whatever news 2025 brings.
At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.
Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
