BRIGHTON, Mich. – Republican presidential contender Sen. Ted Cruz apologized for an ill-timed joke about Vice President Joe Biden Wednesday night.
While speaking at a GOP dinner in Brighton, Cruz poked fun at Biden, mentioning his name before saying, "You know the nice thing? You don't need a punchline."
"Honestly, it works," Cruz said. "The next party you're at, just walk up to someone and say, 'Vice President Joe Biden' and just close your mouth. They will crack up laughing."
The timing of the joke set off a social media firestorm. Biden's son, Beau, passed away from brain cancer on Saturday.
"It was a mistake to use an old joke about Joe Biden during his time of grief, and I sincerely apologize. The loss of his son is heartbreaking and tragic, and our prayers are very much with the Vice President and his family," Cruz wrote on Facebook and Twitter.
Beau Biden's funeral will be held in Dover, Delaware, on Saturday. He served in Dover as the state attorney general.
President Barack Obama is scheduled to deliver Biden's eulogy.