Texas governor says Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke is a 'cult-like figure'

Greg Abbott.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/Aaron Rupar)

If you gain fans or followers, look out — you may have accidentally just become a cult leader.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) told Fox & Friends on Monday that Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) is like a cult leader for "George Soros policies," and predicted Texans would ultimately be "hostile" to his ideas come Election Day.

After host Steve Doocy described O'Rourke's agenda as seeking "higher taxes, more regulation, open borders, and not supporting law enforcement," Abbott concurred that his platform would ultimately fail due to its radical nature.

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"He's been a cult-like, very popular figure, the way that he's run the campaign," said Abbott. "But you don't vote on cult, you don't vote on personality when you get to the United States Senate. You vote on issues." The governor characterized O'Rourke's platform as related to investor George Soros, who some conservative conspiracy theorists believe is the secret puppetmaster of all liberal politics.

O'Rourke is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a closely watched race. Cruz's lead has been steadily shrinking, perhaps because Texans view him as a "serpent covered in Vaseline," but Abbott predicted the campaign would end as his did four years ago, when he defeated Democrat Wendy Davis by 20 percentage points. Watch the moment below, via Fox News. Summer Meza

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Summer Meza, The Week US

Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.