Ted Cruz cries bigotry over scrutiny of Clarence Thomas: ‘Profoundly unfair!’

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) lashed out at critics of conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Sunday during an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” labeling Thomas’ critics as bigoted.

A controversial figure, Thomas, who is Black, was confirmed to his spot on the Supreme Court amid allegations of sexual harassment in 1991, and throughout his tenure, issued countless rulings that critics say “betrayed the Black community.”

NBC News’ Kristen Welker asked Cruz to comment on those criticisms ahead of the release of the Texas senator’s new book on the conservative justice.

“What do you say to those who argue Justice Thomas has overturned the very legal decisions that helped him get to the court?” Welker asked.

Cruz argued that the criticism against Thomas was unwarranted and potentially racially motivated.

“Well, I would say that there is a bitterness that is directed to Justice Thomas that is profoundly unfair,” Cruz said.

“If you look at Clarence Thomas, [former Justice] Antonin Scalia was every bit as conservative as Justice Thomas, but yet Scalia didn't have the scorn, the contempt, the derision, and the left, I think, has a real bigotry. They look at Clarence Thomas and they say, 'how dare a Black man believe what he believes!' And Clarence Thomas is someone who is not going to be told what to believe.”

Beyond Thomas’ controversial rulings and remarks, he has also faced scrutiny for accepting luxury trips from a wealthy GOP donor without disclosing them. He was also loaned $267,000 to purchase a 40-foot luxury motorcoach from health care magnate Anthony Welters, a loan he never paid back or reported on his annual financial disclosure report.