Republican Senator Ted Cruz did not challenge repeated calls from the public for a sitting Senate candidate to be shot during a speech at a Republican convention in Dallas, according to video and comments from those targeted.
The incident took place on Thursday night at the American Airlines Centre during Cruz’s address at the party’s irregular midterm gathering. It came as Republican speakers marked the first anniversary of the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and warned against the risks of violent political language, while Cruz appeared at the podium without denouncing the outbursts or even referring to them.
Shouts Heard During Cruz’s Address
During Cruz’s remarks, he named several Democrats whom he accused of holding extreme views. Footage shows an audience member shouting “He should be shot!” after Cruz mentioned New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The same chant was heard again when Cruz named Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, and once more after he mentioned Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. Cruz did not pause his speech or respond to the interruptions, and it was unclear whether he heard the remarks from the stage.
Cruz did not respond to a request for comment.
Cruz’s Claims And El-Sayed’s Response
In his speech, Cruz accused Mamdani of wanting to seize the means of production. He said El-Sayed had an “obligation” to follow Sharia law, and claimed Talarico wanted to dismantle capitalism.
El-Sayed said on CNN’s The Source with Kaitlan Collins that such rhetoric had become dangerously normalised and should unsettle listeners. He urged Republicans to describe the chant accurately, saying it amounted to incitement that both parties should reject, and called for a return to politics centred on people’s basic needs and dignity.
El-Sayed said he hoped his daughters would be able to grow up and live with him, adding that the moment had reflected what he described as violence becoming “literally” part of normal political discourse.
A spokesperson for Mike Rogers, the Republican former congressman running against El-Sayed for Michigan’s open Senate seat and who was in Dallas for the convention, said Rogers condemned the remarks and “all political violence”.
Cruz’s characterisations of the Democrats were described as going beyond what the three men had previously said in other contexts.
Convention Marks Charlie Kirk Anniversary
The convention fell on the first anniversary of Kirk’s assassination. Republican figures repeatedly referenced the killing during their remarks, including Vice-President JD Vance, who spoke about his friendship with Kirk in a headline address.
Close Race For Michigan’s Seat
El-Sayed is competing in one of the most closely watched Senate contests in the election cycle. A CNN poll released on Wednesday showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 47% to 44% in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Senator Gary Peters, with both parties seeking control of the chamber.
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13 September 2026
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