Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) opened himself up to instant ridicule on Wednesday with an eyebrow-raising claim about America’s political parties.

During an appearance on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show, Cruz predicted that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) will run for president and that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) will eventually replace Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in the Senate.

He then turned his fire on Mamdani, a democratic socialist:

“I think Mamdani is the single most powerful Democrat in the country and I gotta say, by the way, there are some Republicans that are celebrating, ‘This is great, our opponents are crazy this is going to help us.’ I want to say, for the record, I’m not celebrating. I think this is bad for the country. I think this is unhealthy.”

Cruz then added:

“I want to see two normal parties that are not filled with crazy people, who can actually do something reasonable, and who actually love the country.”

Cruz: I think AOC will run for president. My prediction is Mamdani will be the next Democrat senator from New York. I think this is bad for the country. I want to see two normal parties that are not filled with crazy people, who can actually do something reasonable, and, actually… pic.twitter.com/oN9X6FY8Qn

That final line sparked mockery online, with critics pointing the finger directly at Cruz and his Republican colleagues:

Does he not realize he’s one of the crazy senators? https://t.co/6XxemewnO5

Did anyone tell him Ted Cruz is a senator? 😳 https://t.co/I8Pt5djdFt

"I want to see two normal parties that are not filled with crazy people" -- Ted Cruz https://t.co/zVtUYuQ5ed

Says the sitting senator that cares more about his podcast and perks than actual policy. https://t.co/2L2yQgrzVK

Then why doesn’t he speak out against his own party? The Republicans are mostly to blame for how we got here. Trump is the one who tossed out any normalcy a decade ago and then it all went downhill from there. https://t.co/hTJBaUQobb

Crazy guy wants less crazy people in the Senate. https://t.co/lh7zGTVY51

No crazy people? Ted, you need to start a purge of Repubs. Thanks for offering.

Has he looked at the Republican party lately or no? https://t.co/5m1UljX1jk

He wants to see 2 normal parties 😆😆😆Oh so much to sayAnother twilight zone moment

Hysterical that a man who allows the president to call his wife horse face to the whole world without rebuke then continue to campaign for him  would call someone else crazy https://t.co/FKL7ZNDEKU

Ted Cruz say those words while looking into a mirror!!!!!

@FoxNews @SenTedCruz @AOC “I want to see two normal parties that are not filled with crazy people, who can actually do something reasonable ….”So Cruz is leaving the GOP? It is filled with crazy people and can’t accomplish anything reasonable.@WSJ @cspan @NYCMayor https://t.co/9tLycr6QUH

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