Ted Cruz Accidentally Punches, Elbows Wife Heidi Going for Hug With Dad

Ted Cruz accidentally hit Heidi Cruz in the face with his fist and elbow seconds after dropping out of the presidential race on Tuesday, and images of the awkward husband-wife moment spread like wildfire on social media.

Ted Cruz ends campaign by accidentally hitting, elbowing his wife in the face pic.twitter.com/epO1tzKgTT

— Jon Swaine (@jonswaine) May 4, 2016

Cruz announced he was ending his campaign after losing to Donald Trump 53 percent to 36 percent in Indiana.

After embracing his wife, the senator leaned in to give his father, Raphael, a hug, accidentally bumping Heidi in the face with both his fist and elbow.

For many, the image brought to mind another awkward moment: Cruz fumbling Carly Fiorina's hand as he announced her as his running mate. Along with the Heidi Cruz hit, the hand-grab fumble also went viral on social media once again.



Twitter users lampooned Cruz for Tuesday's accidental smackdown, bringing his campaign to an ignominous end.

Did Ted Cruz say that he's dropping out of the race or dropping his wife with an elbow to the face? https://t.co/eP7VzoFBhD

— Tomás Sheil (@tomassheil) May 4, 2016

Pray for Heidi Cruz. She's the only one who isn't rid of him. https://t.co/9aFMhhFj90

— Krister Johnson (@KristerJohnson) May 4, 2016

Literally adding insult to injury https://t.co/9lwsBLbqbK

— Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) May 4, 2016

And poor Heidi Cruz takes the loss harder than anyone - in the face. pic.twitter.com/B9Fme3ck3Q

— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) May 4, 2016

Cruz-in' for a bruisin' https://t.co/1zcJf0Ryli

— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) May 4, 2016

Ted Cruz elbowing his wife in the face is the highlight of my day

— shaun (@ShaunBIance) May 4, 2016

the most relatable thing ted cruz ever did was accidentally punch and then accidentally elbow the face of someone he loves

— Lady Murderface (@itsa_talia) May 4, 2016

Showing us how much he cared about women's issues, Ted Cruz says goodbye with a punch and elbow to his wife's face. pic.twitter.com/EEoQqtkCbw

— caprice crane (@capricecrane) May 4, 2016

I am feeling for Heidi Cruz right now. Have long had the suspicion her relationship is basically one long emotional elbow to the face.

— Heather Corinna (@heathercorinna) May 4, 2016

Between the wife-elbow and the Carly-hand-fumble, I'm starting to think the arms on Cruz's person suit don't work right.

— Michael Koes (@michaelkoes) May 4, 2016

The way Cruz caught his wife with that punch-elbow combo, I'm not so sure he didn't suspend his campaign to join the UFC

— (not THAT) Kenny G (@Stay_GLDN) May 4, 2016

Related Stories:

• 13 Most Memorable Ted Cruz Campaign Moments
• Heidi Cruz: Ted's Not-So-Secret Fund-Raising Weapon