AUSTIN, Texas – A report in Forbes last week revealed that a super PAC backing Ted Cruz’s reelection received $215,000 from the company hosting his podcast. This is despite a spokesperson claiming Cruz “receives no financial benefit” from it.

Here’s what Texans have been reading:

Chron.com: “Ted Cruz's podcast has landed him in hot water once again… A political watchdog group said Friday that the group is continuing its investigation into the Cruz campaign after reports found a PAC supporting the senator had accepted more than $214,000 in contributions from the media company that platforms Cruz's podcast.”

• ‘We are continuing to investigate Sen. Cruz’s relationship with iHeartRadio and will decide at a later date whether to file a complaint,’ Campaign Finance and Ethics media associate Janel Forsythe said in an email.

• Spokespersons from both Cruz's office and Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia, maintained that Cruz does not receive any financial benefit from his podcast.

San Antonio Current: “Although the senator has said he receives no money for recording his podcast, the media conglomerate carrying it funneled lots of cash to a PAC backing his reelection.”

• A super PAC tied to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz reported accepting nearly $215,000 in ‘digital revenue’ from San Antonio-based iHeartMedia even though a spokesperson for the Texas Republican previously said he receives no paycheck from the podcast he does for the media conglomerate.

• Truth and Courage PAC's website lists its focus as ‘ensuring that Ted Cruz is re-elected to the United States Senate in 2024.’

• Indeed, during the 2024 election cycle, Truth and Courage PAC has already aired web ads attacking U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, the North Texas Democrat running to take Cruz's senate seat, The Hill reports.

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