Ted Cruz put people in the uncomfortable position of siding with Donald Trump when, at Thursday's Republican debate, he attacked Trump by attacking New Yorkers. In an attempt to undermine his opponent's conservative credentials, Cruz said that Trump couldn't be the Republican nominee because he embodies "New York values," which "are socially liberal, are pro-abortion, are pro-gay marriage, are focused on money." This has to be the lamest euphemism for "nonwhite, non-heterosexual, non-Christian" yet.
Trump fired back by saying that there are in fact conservatives in Manhattan. Unsurprisingly, he also invoked 9/11. He then called out Cruz's comment as offensive, and smart people were surprised to find themselves agreeing with him.
After Trump defended New York, more eloquent New Yorkers took to Twitter to do it properly. The Daily News got the ball rolling by telling Cruz how Lady Liberty really feels.
New Yorkers joined in with tributes to the city, both funny and sincere.
Some New York values are ideas:
And some New York values are deeds:
People came to the city's defense, pointing out how Cruz's idea of "New York Values" is basically a weak euphemism for diversity and tolerance.