Ted Cruz is selling ‘spring break’ tank tops featuring himself with a mullet: ‘McConnell in the front, MAGA in the back’

• Sen. Ted Cruz is selling "spring break 2021" tank tops featuring an image of himself with a mullet.
• The caption on the shirt reads, "McConnell in the front, MAGA in the back."
• Cruz faced widespread backlash for vacationing in Mexico during Texas' winter storm crisis.
• See more stories on Insider's business page.

After facing widespread backlash for vacationing in Cancún, Mexico with his family during Texas' winter storm crisis that took down the state's power grid last month, one might think Sen. Ted Cruz would steer clear of references to spring break.

But the Texas Republican is selling "spring break 2021" tank tops and trucker hats featuring an image of himself with a mullet hairstyle. In a play on "business in the front, party in the back," the caption on the merchandise reads, "McConnell in the front, MAGA in the back."

Encouraging spring break is also somewhat controversial. Some traditional spring break destinations, including Miami Beach, Florida, have been overwhelmed as partiers stream in from across the country and violate pandemic-related rules. Miami Beach officials recently declared a state of emergency, implemented a curfew, and cracked down on large crowds in recent days.

In South Padre Island, one of Texas' most popular spring break spots, crowds have largely ignored federal public health guidelines on COVID-19 mitigation.

Cruz has closely allied himself with former President Donald Trump and the GOP base, which remains supportive of Trump's "Make America Great Again" agenda. While Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has distanced himself somewhat from Trump following the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, Cruz voted to overturn the election results following the riot.

-Jim Swift (@JimSwiftDC) March 25, 2021