Just days after the shocking death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, hateful graffiti appeared on the 59 freeway in Houston, Texas, targeting the late Turning Point USA co-founder. The words, spray-painted in white across a concrete support beam, read “F-ck Charlie Kirk” alongside other markings. Senator Ted Cruz quickly took matters into his own hands.
In a video posted on X, the Texas senator was seen rolling white paint over the graffiti, declaring, “Erasing evil.” Photos also showed Cruz alongside another man covering up the vandalism. The post immediately went viral, amassing over a million views within hours.
The graffiti incident comes at a time of heightened political tension nationwide. On September 10, Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a TPUSA debate event on the Utah Valley University campus. His assassination drew international condemnation, with leaders across the political spectrum denouncing political violence. President Trump has since announced that Kirk will be posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Ted Cruz Paints Over Anti-Charlie Kirk Graffiti on Houston Freeway
Reaction to the Houston graffiti and Cruz’s cleanup effort was swift and emotional. Supporters flooded the senator’s mentions with praise. “Thank you @tedcruz. Erase the hate! We are Charlie Kirk!” one user wrote. Another echoed, “Thank you Ted. I wish it were that easy to erase the evil but this does make a difference.”
Others took the moment to contrast Cruz’s actions with leadership in their own states. “What a great hardworking patriot. Wish we had decent senators in Michigan,” one user posted. Some, however, criticized the original sharing of the graffiti before it was covered, with one commentator noting, “Thank you Ted for covering it up. I would have blurred the image of the first picture.”
While the graffiti was quickly removed, the symbolism resonated far beyond Houston. Cruz’s act became both a tribute to Kirk’s memory and a statement against political hatred. For Kirk’s supporters, it served as a reminder that his influence continues even after his death. As one Texas resident summed it up online, “Erase the hate. We are Charlie Kirk.”
