Here's the Joe Biden joke that landed Ted Cruz in hot water

(Image credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

published 4 June 2015

On Saturday, Vice President Joe Biden will bury his son Beau, who died from brain cancer last weekend at age 46; President Obama will give the eulogy. Beau Biden's death was big, sad news in Washington. "It was a mistake to use an old joke about Joe Biden during his time of grief, and I sincerely apologize," Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) wrote on Facebook, after video emerged of him mocking Biden at a presidential campaign event in Michigan on Wednesday. "The loss of his son is heartbreaking and tragic, and our prayers are very much with the vice president and his family." That's the story. Below, you can watch the video of Cruz's poorly timed joke. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.