Republican senator Ted Cruz caught liking pornographic video on social media

Former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz. Photo / AP

Former Republican presidential candidate and self-avowed family man Ted Cruz appears to have been busted liking a pornographic link on social media.

Just after midnight on Tuesday local time, eagle-eyed Twitter users noted the official account for the conservative Texas senator had liked a post from the account "Sexuall Posts" that included a minute-long video of a hard-core porn film, according to Daily News.

Lewd footage of the actors - two women and a man - briefly appeared on Cruz's feed of liked tweets but has since been taken down.

A spokesperson for Cruz has not yet responded to a request for comment. It's not yet known whether Cruz liked the post, or whether it was done by a staffer using the account.

Cruz has long been an opponent of pornography, presenting himself as a family values politician.

Last year, he was among Republican delegates who unanimously voted to add an amendment to the draft of their platform that called pornography a "public health crisis" and a "public menace" that is destroying lives.

"Pornography, with his harmful effects, especially on children, has become a public health crisis that is destroying the life of millions. We encourage states to continue to fight this public menace and pledge our commitment to children's safety and wellbeing," the amendment stated.

The development has caused shock online, with many mocking President Trump's former rival.