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Who is Emma Malonelord? Air defense officer in Army ad dubbed 'emasculated' by Ted Cruz was raised by two moms

'Attacking an active duty service member on Twitter because she doesn't fit your narrative — very classy of you, senator' a Twitter user told Cruz

Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz has found himself on the wrong side of controversy once again after his criticism of a US military advertisement that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Cruz shared a segment of 'The Calling' promotional series by the US Army, that featured Air Defense official Corporal Emma Malonelord. He called the video based on her life as 'woke and emasculated' while comparing it to a Russian military ad.

Raised by two mothers, Cpl Malonelord is presently an active-duty Air Defense Enhanced Early Warning System Operator. The animated video based on her inspiring journey had received a lot of negative commentaries, eventually prompting the GoArmy YouTube channel to disable the comment section on the video, which has over 40,000 dislikes. Now, Ted Cruz's words have sparked fresh controversy as he tweeted, "Holy crap. Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea...."

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Who is Corporal Emma Malonelord? 

Emma Malonelord hails from California where she grew up in a loving family with her two mothers, who have been together for 35 years. The video designates her as the "soldier who operates your nation's Patriot Missile Defense Systems," before narrating the story of her life. 

Growing up, Malonelord partook in a multitude of extra-curricular activities like ballet and violin lessons. As a youngster, she also marched for equality in pride movements alongside her mothers. "I like to think I have been defending freedom from an early age," she says in the video.

At six years of age, one of her mothers met with a severe accident that left her paralyzed. While doctors declared that she might never walk again, Malonelord's mother did not give up — and was able to overcome her physical constraints in movement and walking. "She tapped into my family's pride to get back on her feet, eventually standing at the altar to marry my other mom."

She considered her moms as powerful role models in her life. After graduating high school at the top of her class, she attended UC Davies and joined a sorority with other women. In another video about herself, Cpl Malonelord recalls how she had doubts about being in a sorority at first, but nevertheless got involved at her mom's advice. "They were some of the most motivating and inspiring individuals that I've ever spent any time around," Malonelord remarked.

As she introspected her own self-worth, she realized her privileges and wanted to achieve something on her own. While one of her sorority sisters was studying abroad, another had climbed Mount Everest. After meeting with an Army recruiter, the "stereotypical sorority girl" found her own challenge. 

"I realized the Army is a giant melting pot... Everybody here is accepted, no matter what walk of life you come from, no matter what language you speak, no matter who your family is, and the draw of that was a really big piece of me choosing to join," she says. 

Talking about her moms, Malonelord says, "They are the reason I learned that I should never be held back because of who I love or the gender that I am or what religion I practice."

'CPL Malonelord does not deserve your mockery'

Ted Cruz's tweet earned him a lot of criticism as Twitter users asked him to 'sit this one out'. "That young soldier who you claim "emasculates" our military has more guts and strength of character on her worst day than you've ever had at your best," tweeted writer Charlotte Clymer in response to Cruz. "Do you have any other Russian propaganda videos you'd like to promote, senator?" asked historian Kevin M Kruse.

A user tweeted, "I want to emphasize that Corporal Malonelord is a real person. She's an Air Defense Enhanced Early Warning System Operator. She is on active duty and is sharing her story to inspire others to volunteer to serve their country. CPL Malonelord does not deserve your mockery." 

"Attacking an active duty service member on Twitter because she doesn't fit your narrative — very classy of you, senator. US Army Corporal Emma Malonelord is more of a patriot than you will ever be, Ted," wrote healthcare advocate Kendall Brown.

Cruz's branding of the US military as 'emasculated' and insensitive comparison with the Russian Army also prompted Twitter to remind him of the time former President Donald Trump called his wife 'ugly', and said his father killed JFK.