Did Ted Cruz say, 'Let's stop attacking pedophiles'? Yes, but it's reportedly a gaffe

[Thiệu Ngô]

The Texas senator delivered the flubbed remark during a committee hearing in September 2025.

By Jordan Liles

Claim:

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said, "How about we all come together and say, 'Let's stop attacking pedophiles.'"

Rating: Correct Attribution

In late September and early October 2025, online users shared either a video or simply a quote claiming U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said, "How about we all come together and say, 'Let's stop attacking pedophiles.'"

Snopes received reader emails asking whether Cruz truly made this remark. One asked, "Did Ted Cruz say to stop attacking pedophiles?" Another inquired, "Did Sen. Ted Cruz say, 'Stop attacking pedophiles?'"

For example, on Sept. 30, a popular X account that historically shared content opposing President Donald Trump reposted (archived) a five-second video originally posted (archived) by another account. The text caption read, "Ted Cruz: 'How about we all come together and say let's stop attacking pedophiles.'" That post and the account that uploaded the clip — also one that historically posted content opposing Trump — each received millions of views.

Embedded Tweet

Cruz truly — and mistakenly — said the words, "How about we all come together and say, 'Let's stop attacking pedophiles,'" so we've rated this claim a correct attribution. At the same time, the brief video clips did not include his full remarks showing he intended to say "Let's stop pedophiles" or a similar statement.

The Texas senator delivered the flubbed remark, which news media outlets referenced as a gaffe, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Sept. 30, 2025.

The Houston Chronicle reported that a spokesperson for Cruz told the outlet, "It was a verbal slip. Senator Cruz was rattling off a series of crimes we should unite in opposing, started a sentence about opposing pedophilia, and added a stray word while talking it out."

Snopes contacted Cruz's Washington office to independently ask about the matter and will update this article if we receive further information.

Here's what Cruz said

C-SPAN hosted a video featuring the entire hearing, including the moment Cruz misspoke. The hearing's title reflected that it was a gathering to discuss combatting crime, including Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in Washington. The title read, "Hearing on Trump Admin. Response to Crime in Cities."

Beginning at the 1:50:38 mark in the above-linked clip, Cruz referenced Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., then gestured to a fall in Washington crime statistics appearing on a chart behind him. That chart displayed attribution to the Metropolitan Police Department website.

Cruz said:

Now, Sen. Booker also said, "We should have bipartisan agreement." I think that's a great idea. We should have bipartisan agreement.

How about we all come together and say, "Let's stop murders." How about we all come together and say, "Let's stop rape." How about we all come together and say, "Let's stop attacking pedophiles."

I want you to look at what happened when the National Guard went to D.C. Robbery fell by 57%. Homicide fell by 58%. Sex abuse fell by 40%.


Cruz did not correct his flub during the rest of his remarks.

The Forbes Breaking News YouTube channel hosted a longer video showing the context of Cruz's mistaken remark:

Cruz once genuinely said in 2016, "Trump has a consistent pattern of inciting violence."