This week’s Buffoonology 101 is a shining example that political buffoonery knows no party lines as we pit Sen. Ted Cruz against Rep. Ilhan Omar.
In a rare twist of fate, both hosts nominated two ideological opposites for this week’s Buffoon of the Week crown. It’s time to prove that whether you’re a die-hard conservative or a card-carrying progressive, there’s plenty of cringe to go around.
But before we dive in, let’s finish up some business from last week.
Auntie Maxine Reigns Supreme
Last week’s showdown was a California cage match: Gov. Gavin Newsom (Ross’s pick) vs. Rep. Maxine Waters (Gene’s pick). In the end, “Mad Maxine” took the title with a 60/40 split. Even Alex Padilla earned a rogue write-in vote, because apparently, California has no shortage of grandstanders auditioning for a buffoon crown.
And in what has become a tradition, Ross once again cried foul—pointing out that Gene conducts one of the polls using his personal X account. And wouldn’t you know it? That’s where the audience sided with Gene’s pick 2-to-1.
Coincidence? Or just a convenient case of “he who controls the platform controls the poll” a la Boss Tweed?
We’ll let you decide.
Ross’s Shocking Nominee: Sen. Ted Cruz
In a jaw-dropping twist, Ross turned his flamethrower on his own team and nominated none other than Senator Ted Cruz—yes, that Ted Cruz. You know, the one who got booed at his own party’s convention in 2016 and got caught leaving for a vacation in Cancun during a freak Texas freeze in 2021.
Ross’s nomination centered around Cruz’s car-crash interview with Tucker Carlson. Despite Cruz being hailed as one of the Senate’s intellectual heavyweights, he fumbled basic facts about Iran—like its population or ethnic makeup—while casually advocating for regime change. The interview clip posted by Carlson, racked up over 30 million views on X in its first 24 hours.
That’s right: he wants regime change but apparently skipped the research phase. Ross compared it to buying a used car without checking the mileage—except the stakes here involve war, not warranties.
So to recap: he wants to start a war… but skipped the research phase. Ross likened it to buying a used car without checking the mileage—except the stakes here are bombs, not bumper-to-bumper coverage.
After Ross’s compelling presentation, Gene then scored Cruz based on the criteria established in Gene’s book, Schnooks, Crooks, Liars & Scoundrels. For those new to the show, the Sharpton Buffoonery Matrix™ measures Buffoonish Nature of the nominee (BuN) and the Buffoonish Action Magnitude (BAM) which measures the actual impact and stupidity of the moment in question. Learn more about the process on our Buffoonology 101 hub.
- BuN: 63 (a solid ego-driven baseline)
- BAM: *** NEW RECORD *** 112.9 Giga-Sharptons™ a legacy-level oopsie that left Cruz fans stunned)
Gene’s Nominee: Rep. Ilhan Omar
Never one to be outdone, Gene countered with a perennial favorite: Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. In her now-viral comments, Omar likened the U.S. to a failed dictatorship and claimed Americans should be “out in the streets” protesting a U.S. Army parade marking the military’s 250th anniversary that happened to coincide with President Trump’s 79th birthday.
Because nothing says “defending democracy” quite like trashing your own military on its birthday.
Gene’s critique was twofold: first, Omar’s comments showed a staggering lack of gratitude for the country that gave her a platform; second, her rhetoric is classic conflation and distortion which plays directly into anti-American narratives, all while cashing checks as a member of Congress.
It’s the same tired tune—just remixed louder and more obnoxiously. And the fact that so many people now shrug it off? That’s a red flag in itself.
- BuN: 81 (A top-tier BuN; consistently corrosive and unapologetically anti-American)
- BAM: 46.1 Giga-Sharptons™ (And likely climbing.)
Time to Cast Your Vote! Is it Cruz? Or Omar?
When it comes to political foot-in-mouth disease, both parties are terminally ill. And this week proves itSo who deserves the Buffoon of the Week title?
🐘 Cruz, the war-happy senator who forgot to Google before advocating bombs?
🐴 Omar, the congresswoman who thinks military parades are fascist cosplay?
You decide. Here’s how:
💬 Let us know who you choose in the comments below
📺 Vote in our poll on YouTube
🐦 Vote in our poll on X (and yes, it’s on Gene’s account – deal with it!)
📣 Vote in our poll on Gettr
Vote early, vote often—we’re not counting duplicates. (We’re not the IRS.)
Buffoonology 101 is in session all summer long. See you next week for another round of political embarrassment.
