Senator Ted Cruz sharply criticized Tucker Carlson following the conservative commentator’s proposal in an interview with the current United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Cruz condemned Carlson’s suggestion of using genetic testing to determine who qualifies as a Jew, calling it “idiotic.”
This imbecile doesn’t believe that Jews are the descendants of Abraham.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 21, 2026
He’s proposing a mandatory DNA test for every Jew on earth.
If they’re not Jews, what are they, Chinese?
Idiotic. https://t.co/jXCAeQ8GGC
“This imbecile doesn’t believe that Jews are the descendants of Abraham,” Cruz said. “He’s proposing a mandatory DNA test for every Jew on earth. If they’re not Jews, what are they, Chinese? Idiotic.”
The remarks came in response to a segment in which Carlson questioned Huckabee about the theological basis for the Jewish claim to the land of Israel. Carlson repeatedly raised the idea that, since the land was promised to Abraham’s descendants in Genesis, modern science could identify those descendants through genetic testing.
VIDEO: Tucker Carlson 🇶🇦 calls for DNA testing every single Israeli and forcibly expelling everyone who isn't proven to be a descendent of Abraham.
— Max 📟 (@MaxNordau) February 20, 2026
What a psycho.pic.twitter.com/XVNGpMz8N6
“Why don’t we do genetic testing on everybody in the land and find out who Abram’s descendants are?” Carlson asked. “It’s really simple. We’ve cracked the human genome. Why don’t we do that? Would you be against doing that?”
Huckabee responded that he did not see what such testing would prove and emphasized the distinction between secular nation-states and religious claims. “I guess you could propose a DNA test for everybody who comes here, everybody who lives here. But the point I’m comfortable with is secular nation-states where it’s,” to which Tucker interrupted claiming that “None of this is done on the basis of blood. I’m uncomfortable with that.”
The conversation delved into the complex relationship between religious and ethnic identity in determining the right of Jews to live in Israel. Carlson pressed Huckabee on whether the right to inhabit the land stems from religion, genetics, or both, citing historical migration patterns, conversions, and genealogical claims. Huckabee maintained that Jewish identity includes both ethnic and religious components, noting that even Jews who convert to Christianity can have historical claims under certain circumstances.
Carlson questioned the consistency of modern Israeli law and the historical claims of prominent figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose family originates from Eastern Europe. He argued that the Jewish claim to Israel involves both historical continuity and current legal frameworks, highlighting the tension between theological justification and modern national borders.
Throughout the interview, Carlson repeatedly framed the discussion around the practical implications of identifying Abram’s descendants in the modern world. He challenged Huckabee to reconcile the biblical covenant with contemporary population shifts, conversions, and the secular nature of Israel’s founding population. Huckabee reiterated that Israel’s legitimacy is tied to both historical and religious identity but emphasized that the country’s current borders and legal practices reflect practical governance rather than a strict genealogical test.
Cruz, who has received $1,872,592 from the Israeli Jewish lobby AIPAC between 1990 and 2024, represents Texas in the Senate and has long been active in pro-Israel advocacy, a context that adds weight to his public criticism of Carlson’s comments.
Cruz’s remarks underscore the controversy sparked by Carlson’s statements, which critics argue reduce religious and ethnic identity to a scientific experiment. The senator’s comments frame the proposal as not only impractical but deeply offensive, highlighting the sensitivity of discussions linking theology, ethnicity, and territorial claims in Israel.
The interview has drawn attention amid ongoing debates about the role of religious and ethnic identity in international politics, particularly regarding the state of Israel and its relationship with global Jewish communities. By focusing on genetic testing as a hypothetical tool, Carlson sparked a broader conversation about how historical claims intersect with modern legal, religious, and cultural frameworks.
