Texas Senator Ted Cruz praised “American patriots” for standing up to “Space Aliens,” in a tweet posted on Sunday to celebrate July 4.
On Sunday evening, Cruz, 50, who has served as a senator in Texas since 2013, posted a clip from Independence Day to Twitter, showing the iconic speech given by President Thomas J. Whitmore, played by Bill Pullman in the 1996 film.
The speech was made by the fictional president as troops prepared to battle aliens on July 4, with Whitmore urging the world to unite, saying: “We can’t be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests.”
In a tweet accompanying the clip, Cruz wrote: “On this Fourth of July, we reflect on the incredible spirit of American patriots. Whether it’s standing up to Red Coats or Nazis—or even space aliens 
—Americans never surrender, never stop fighting for freedom. Happy Independence Day! 
.”
On this Fourth of July, we reflect on the incredible spirit of American patriots. Whether it’s standing up to Red Coats or Nazis—or even space aliens
Happy Independence Day!
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 4, 2021
In a follow-up tweet, Cruz posted a clip from the 1970 film Patton, showing George C. Scott as the military leader delivering a speech to American troops, praising the country and emphasizing the need to work as a united group in battle.
“Another classic: Patton’s 3rd Army address. If you haven’t watched George C. Scott’s rendition, WATCH,” Cruz tweeted alongside the clip on Sunday. “I used to watch this video every time the night before I had a Supreme Court argument. Happy Fourth!! ”
Another classic: Patton’s 3rd Army address. If you haven’t watched George C. Scott’s rendition, WATCH.
I used to watch this video every time the night before I had a Supreme Court argument.
Happy Fourth!!
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 4, 2021
Video: Former first lady Melania Trump visited the Kennedy Center ‘a handful of times’ (The Washington Post)
Independence Day, celebrated every year in the U.S. on July 4, commemorates the day that the nation became independent from British rule in 1776. Many use the date to celebrate those who fought wars on behalf of America.
The day has been criticized by others however, as activists, lawmakers and pundits tweeted on Sunday of their dislike of the event, citing that slavery was still legal in the U.S. on the celebrated date.
Among those critical about the day was Missouri Representative Cori Bush, who tweeted: “When they say that the 4th of July is about American freedom, remember this: the freedom they’re referring to is for white people. This land is stolen land and Black people still aren’t free.”
Cruz caused a stir on social media with a separate post praising the U.S. in June, when he posted a video on Twitter showing him taking the Pledge of Allegiance while standing next to the American flag.
The Texas Senator posted the 14-second clip to Twitter on June 14, along with the caption: “This didn’t use to be controversial #flagday,” as several social media users mocked and criticized him for the tweet.
Cruz has caused controversy several times during 2021, as he led the effort to block certification of President Joe Biden‘s election victory and took a trip to Cancun, Mexico, while millions in Texas were struggling without power during extreme weather in the state.
However, he remains one of the most prominent Republican senators, and told conservative news station Newsmax on Thursday that he is “certainly looking” at a 2024 run for the White House.