Cruz says state of US economy so bad Antifa 'can't afford to buy bricks'

Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz took his turn Friday on the CPAC Texas stage, arguing that inflation under a Democrat-led White House and Congress is so "out of control" that everyday necessities have now become too expensive for many Americans.

"We've got out-of-control inflation, and the cost of everything is going through the roof," said Cruz said, amid U.S. inflation at its highest in roughly four decades. "Cost of food – through the roof. Cost of electricity – through the roof. The cost of healthcare – through the roof. The cost of gasoline – through the roof."

"It's so bad ANTIFA can't afford bricks," he also said, jokingly.

He also poked fun at Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who when getting arrested recently on Capitol Hill in a pro-abortion protest appeared in photos with her hands behind her back, when, in fact, she was not handcuffed by police.

"It is so bad that AOC can't afford fake handcuffs," Cruz said.

Cruz, a former presidential candidate and potential 2024 GOP candidate, also criticized U.S. foreign policy under Democrat President Joe Biden.   

"Every enemy of America is stronger," he said. "It's so bad we sent [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan."

Cruz said the "truly surreal moment" of Pelosi's trip was the White House's response to a Chinese state-owned newspaper saying Pelosi's plane should be shot down.

"The White House press secretary was asked, 'What does the White House think about this?' And I kid you not, their response was 'We have no position on that.' "

Cruz continued: "Like what in the hell is wrong with you?" Look, I'm no fan of Pelosi. But the only answer to an enemy of America threatening to murder the speaker of the House of the United States is that it would be an act of war and the result would be devastating consequences."