The internet and social media have been abuzz the past few weeks with Senator Ted Cruz’s new beard.

It all started when Cruz (R-Texas) made a public appearance with some stubble, igniting a firestorm of controversy.

“Ted Cruz grew a beard over Thanksgiving!” Business Insider’s Joe Perticone tweeted in astonishment.

But not everyone approved. The Twitter trolls soon emerged in full force, armed with memes, insults and extreme close-ups of the senator’s face.

But check out what Cruz tweeted on Wednesday morning:

“Pretty cool: A good friend is studying in Yeshiva in Israel. His rabbi told him he liked my beard, elaborating “It gives Cruz a Talmudic & Rabbinic look & presence that will put the fear of the Lord into Israel’s enemies & promote Middle East peace.” Wow. Perhaps a bit much….”

Pretty cool: A good friend is studying in Yeshiva in Israel. His rabbi told him he liked my beard, elaborating “It gives Cruz a Talmudic & Rabbinic look & presence that will put the fear of the Lord into Israel’s enemies & promote Middle East peace.” Wow. Perhaps a bit much….

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) January 9, 2019

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