All posts tagged "ted cruz"

Ted Cruz showers praise on Dem candidate with 'real chance' of beating Trump pick: report

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) showered praise on the opponent of a Trump-endorsed Senate candidate, according to reports.

While calling in on Thursday to Sean Hannity's radio show, which was being guest-hosted by Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), Cruz described Democratic candidate James Talarico as "charming" and "affable."

Cruz said Talarico, a state representative, has "a real chance" of beating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the race to replace Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), according to reporting by the Texas Tribune.

"He sounds like a preacher," Cruz said about Talarico. "I worry about the voters who may not be paying close attention to the issues, who just turn on the TV and say, 'Oh, he seems like a nice young man.'"

During the GOP primary runoff in May, Paxton was endorsed by Trump and beat the long-serving Cornyn. However, controversies surround Paxton, including a since-dismissed felony securities fraud indictment, a 2023 impeachment, a whistleblower corruption scandal, an affair, a divorce, and residency questions. Even Paxton's estranged wife, a state senator, hasn't endorsed him.

"I think this is a real race," Cruz said about the Talarico-Paxton race, according to reporting by The Hill. "I think it's going to be close. I think we're going to win. I think we're going to keep Texas red, but the polling right now shows this is a one- or two-point race."

According to The Hill, recent polling has suggested that the race will be a toss-up. Talarico has already raised a record-breaking $30 million in the second quarter of this year, which is more than triple what Paxton raised from April to June, The Hill reported.

MAGA rift erupts as White House insider bashes 'unlikable' GOP hopeful's 'bedwetting'

A White House insider unloaded after a GOP presidential hopeful went after one of its own, according to a new report.

The Daily Mail reported comments from an anonymous White House insider who responded to attacks by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) against Trump's Iran deal.

Cruz has criticized the Trump deal to end a war with Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz, telling reporters this month that "the president is receiving some very poor advice on this deal," The Mail noted. The criticism is seen as "an obvious attempt" to position himself for a future presidential run with a "non-interventionist" stance, according to The Mail, which also highlighted his failed bids against Trump.

"Cruz has no shortage of ambition," The Mail wrote, citing White House sources. "The Texas senator has long felt that Trump robbed him of the presidency in 2016 and that he could have easily beat the unpopular Democrat Hillary Clinton."

However, the White House insider responded to The Mail's request for comment on Cruz's criticism and the idea that he could be setting himself up for a 2028 presidential run.

"Ted is an instrument of the donor class," the White House insider told the Daily Mail. "A very unlikable instrument, who unbeknownst to him will never be president."

The White House insider also shot down rumors that Vice President J.D. Vance had "gone rogue," as The Mail put it. Another White House official summed up criticisms of the Iran war deal as part of "handwringing and bedwetting" from Republicans that has no effect on Vance's alignment with Trump.

"There is no pearl clutching in this White House," the White House official told The Daily Mail. "Everyone, including the vice president, is following the president's lead on the peace deal, and no amount of handwringing and bedwetting from Washington, D.C. Republican 'panic-ans' will change that."

Ted Cruz called out as feud with Don Jr. spills into public: 'Opposite of MAGA'

The feud between Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Donald Trump Jr. is spilling into the public eye with a scathing response on X.

Benjamin Domenech, the opinion editor for the conservative Daily Wire, quoted Cruz in a post on X that took aim at Trump's dubious Iran deal. The quote came from an interview between Cruz and Domenech published by The Daily Wire.

"Nearly one thousand Americans have been murdered by the Ayatollah and the mullahs," the Cruz quote read. "It is not remotely in America's interest for us to pay to rebuild that capacity that we just took out."

Don Jr. furiously responded to the quote and denounced it as a lie while blasting Cruz's MAGA credentials.

"The only problem with this quote is that @tedcruz is lying thru his teeth about the deal," Don Jr. wrote. "We're not giving them a cent and he knows that. Using fake news about the peace deal to undermine @realDonaldTrump is the opposite of MAGA."

Although Cruz retweeted Domenech's post quoting him, he didn't immediately fire back at Don Jr.

Republicans now believe Trump 'is going to croak' — and are vying to replace him: insider

Republicans have made a dramatic U-turn on the 2028 presidential election, with dozens of contenders now expected to enter the race to succeed Donald Trump as president, an insider told Raw Story.

And while no candidates have officially announced their campaigns yet, Rick Wilson, former Republican operative and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, told Raw Story in an exclusive interview that he was tipped off about the development by strategists.

“The number of Republicans who are planning to run in 2028 is growing by the minute,” Wilson told Raw Story.

“I would say a year ago, there was the presumption that Trump was trying to run again,” Wilson said.

But now it’s different.

“They think Trump is going to croak,” he said.

Wilson anticipated that nearly 20 people are planning on vying for the nation’s top job.

“It will be people from Congress, from the Senate, governors, they’re all going to get in because they’re going to see the end of the Trump era. They’re going to claim the throne of MAGA,” Wilson said.

“Ambition is a hell of a drug,” he added.

Wilson shared insights about who some of the potential candidates could be, and how many have played a long waiting game and think it’s about time they line up.

“Some of these guys have been sitting on the sidelines for a decade,” Wilson said. “They all think they should be president.”

The number of candidates could present a problem for the GOP — and particularly Trump.

“I think we’re going to see a real mess starting in the spring of next year, where you’re going to have the Ted Cruzes and Josh Hawleys and all these other people running around, and it’s going to make Trump lose his damn mind. He’s going to go crazy,” Wilson said.

As for Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, it’s unclear what they will decide to do. Wilson referred to the two Trump administration members as “two men with an exaggerated view.”

He cited why Rubio’s timing could hurt him.

“Marco has peaked way too early. He’s the golden child for Trump and MAGA world, but it’s so early,” Wilson said.

By 2027, it will be clearer who might be next in line to succeed Trump and try to make gains among the MAGA movement, he said.

“Watch the spring of next year, you’re going to see a lot of people suddenly visiting New Hampshire, suddenly visiting Iowa, suddenly announcing the ‘American Dream super PAC’ and writing terrible campaign books,” Wilson added. “That’s become sort of one of the things, the ritual.”

White House fires back as Ted Cruz bucks Trump in preparation for White House run: report

Sen. Ted Cruz is openly defying President Donald Trump in two marquee Republican primaries, a move that doubles as an early test of whether the Texas Republican can carve out room for himself in a party Trump has dominated for a decade, new reporting suggests.

According to Axios, Cruz this week threw his support behind candidates running directly against Trump's picks in a pair of governor's races. He endorsed Rick Jackson, a wealthy health care executive challenging Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in Georgia's June 16 runoff, and Alan Wilson, South Carolina's attorney general, who is up against Trump-endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette in a June 23 runoff.

What makes the break notable is how alone Cruz is in making it. Axios reported that he appears to be the only potential 2028 GOP contender willing to publicly side against Trump in either contest, a sign of just how wary other ambitious Republicans remain of crossing the president.

The White House did not let it slide. A source close to the administration dismissed the maneuver to Axios, calling it a "curious way" for Cruz to advance a 2028 bid. A representative for Cruz did not respond to the outlet's request for comment.

The gamble strikes at something Trump prizes: his reputation as the Republican Party's kingmaker. Trump has long treated primary endorsements as a scoreboard for his influence, and the numbers have mostly cooperated. Axios noted that Trump-backed candidates have won every federal or statewide primary this cycle except one, when Rep. Randy Feenstra lost Iowa's GOP gubernatorial primary. By backing the rivals to two of Trump's choices, Cruz is wagering that the president's grip can be loosened.

There's real risk in it, Axios reports. If Jones and Evette win their runoffs, Cruz could draw Trump's anger and complicate his own path in 2028.

The endorsements are only the latest sign Cruz is laying groundwork for a presidential run. Axios reported that he privately warned donors last year that Trump's tariffs would hurt the economy and could cost Republicans control of Congress. In those same conversations, he reportedly trashed Vice President JD Vance, a likely 2028 rival, accusing him of pushing a misguided anti-interventionist foreign policy. Cruz has also repeatedly gone after podcaster and Vance ally Tucker Carlson, charging him with promoting antisemitism.

Trump's latest inflation claim sends shockwaves through the Republican Party

Republican lawmakers were not pleased after President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about inflation, telling reporters on Wednesday, "I love the inflation."

Trump signed the Secure America Act surrounded by GOP leaders in the Oval Office when reporters asked him to respond to rising inflation, which reached its highest level since 2023.

In a series of exclusive interviews with Raw Story, several congressional members reacted to the president's comments and skyrocketing inflation hitting the economy.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-MN) was not happy about the inflation spike.

"I don't like it, nor do the American people," Johnson said.

When asked if he was concerned that Trump's comments could impact Republicans, the loyal MAGA senator had a quick response.

"I'm opposed to inflation," Johnson added.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) chuckled when Raw Story asked him about the new inflation numbers.

"Inflation is created over time, and it was a f------ disaster for four years," Tuberville said, arguing that the pandemic had complicated the economy.

"It's a huge problem," Tuberville said.

The longtime Republican lawmaker declined to comment on the president's remarks.

"No comment," Tuberville added.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Raw Story that he was concerned about the cost of living for Americans.

"Inflation is a challenge and it puts a real burden on working men and women," Cruz said.

Cruz claimed he has seen "significant victories" in driving down the cost of housing and food — but rising costs at the pump remain a problem.

"But gas prices are up," Cruz said, blaming the Biden administration and citing gas prices from the previous administration, then saying it was a "short-term effect" of the military conflict in the Middle East.

"I think this war in Iran will be resolved and if we can see a stable government there that is not antagonistic to the United States, I think that will have a long-term downward pressure on gas prices, which would be a good thing. I want gas and I want all of the expenses of everyday life to be affordable to Americans, and more affordable."

When asked if Trump would benefit from speaking more clearly — and honestly — to Americans about the affordability crisis, Cruz sidestepped the question.

"The president can speak for himself and I'm confident he will continue doing so," Cruz added.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) told Raw Story inflation was "high" and suggested that changing that could come down to the gas tax.

"That's what's driving the inflation — the energy," Hawley said. "If we took 20 percent off the gas tax, that would be a huge help to people."

Hawley said he had not seen or heard Trump's comments yet.

Democrats also had thoughts about the president's comment.

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) was stunned by Trump's praise for inflation amid a struggling economy, citing how her constituents have been struggling to pay for groceries and gas.

"It's crazy, he's out of touch with Nevadans, and I'm sure the rest of the country," she said.

'Law & Order' star mocks Ted Cruz's midterm comments in Fox News interview

Hollywood legend Christopher Meloni trolled Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) after the conservative politician moaned about his midterm election fears.

The "Law & Order" franchise star responded to the Texas Republican's Fox News interview on Monday night, where Cruz told the conservative outlet that if Democrats take the majority in the House of Representatives that GOP lawmakers, including President Donald Trump, could have a difficult road ahead.

"I'm spending a lot of time supporting other candidates," Cruz said. "I think this midterm election is the most important midterm that we've ever seen. If the Democrats take the House it will be nonstop impeachment and attacking President Trump every single day. And if they take the Senate, they'll do that and they'll also shut down every confirmation for every Cabinet member, every judge. Their view is total warfare."

Meloni mocked Cruz over his remarks, calling out the GOP leader.

"We canNOT allow accountability to take hold of our govt and the people in it. We need to continue weaponization, cronyism, and incompetence," Meloni wrote on X.

We canNOT allow accountability to take hold of our govt and the people in it. We need to continue weaponization, cronyism, and incompetence. https://t.co/fATszWcwVI
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) June 9, 2026

Ted Cruz spills on 'fiery' Senate meeting with Todd Blanche: 'Fireworks at an epic level'

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) spilled the tea on the red-hot meeting between Republican senators and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche earlier in the week.

"There were fireworks at an epic level," Cruz said on a Friday episode of his podcast. "I got to say it's one of the roughest meetings that I've seen in my entire time in the Senate. There are a lot of Republican senators who were just p---ed."

The Thursday meeting took place to discuss Trump's proposed $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization" fund. During and shortly after the meeting, reporters shared that GOP senators poured outrage on Blanche.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), fresh off a primary defeat to a Trump-endorsed candidate, and retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) in particular were "p---ed" and "angry," Cruz said.

"Fiery does not begin to cut it," Cruz went on. "The senators I mentioned, they were p---ed, but almost every Republican senator was there."

He estimated that "probably 45 senators" were in the room, "blasting the attorney general, and they were p---ed," Cruz repeated.

"There were multiple senators who were yelling at the Attorney General, and it was not calm," Cruz described. "It was yelling, and they were saying, 'This feels like self-dealing.'"

The "anti-weaponization" fund was created as part of a settlement of Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, an agency he controls as president. Blanche's primary talking point in the meeting was that the Trump family isn't eligible for payments through the fund.

Cruz said that "unhappy" senators demanded to know if January 6 rioters would get payments.

"Todd Blanche was adamant, and he said, not just no, but 'hell no,'" Cruz recalled. "And he said this, not just to one senator. This was to three or five or 10. I mean, it was over and over again. He said, 'No, no, no, nobody who committed an act of violence, nobody who assaulted law enforcement.'"

Although Cruz admitted that Blanche is "a good guy," he said, "I got to tell you, people were really worked up," and repeated, "It was angry. It was hot. People were p---ed."

Ted Cruz gets all he can manage in heated exchange with TMZ reporter

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) got all he could manage from tabloid-turned-Washington watchdog TMZ as one of its reporters pressed him for answers.

"I'm a little bit concerned that January 6 rioters, violent January 6 rioters who were convicted then pardoned, I'm a little bit worried that they're going to be entitled to taxpayer money," TMZ reporter Charlie Cotton said to Cruz, referring to Trump's $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization fund" that's expected to enrich his allies.

"Do you think they should be eligible for this sort of slush fund?" Cotton asked Cruz.

"I'm not surprised you're worried about that, but were you worried at all when Joe Biden was weaponizing the Department of Justice?" Cruz responded, deflecting the question.

"I don't want to talk about Joe Biden," Cotton shot back.

"I know you don't," Cruz said, now upset. "I understand you got a political agenda."

"I just don't want to pay January 6 rioters," Cotton said.

Cruz insisted he was just trying to answer Cotton's question, but then he went back to make his point about Biden.

"Do you think January 6 rioters should be eligible for this money?" Cotton repeated. "Yes or no?"

Cruz went right back to talking about Biden, and when Cotton again said, "I'm not talking about Biden," the senator looked frustrated and defended January 6 rioters as "peaceful protesters" who were "deliberately targeted" by Biden's Department of Justice.

When Cotton asked the question one more time, Cruz quietly entered an elevator and watched the doors close on the reporter.

Fed-up Ted Cruz holds fellow Republican's legislation hostage in spat over spy fridge bill

A spat broke out between a couple of GOP senators while they were trying to pass their respective bills on the floor.

Sen. Rand Paul from Kentucky was trying to pass a bill that would give more land to a local Boys and Girls Club when fellow Republican Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas stepped in, according to an X post by Burgess Everett, the congressional bureau chief for Semafor.

Cruz was upset that Rand had shot down bills that passed in the Commerce Committee, which Cruz chairs. In particular, Cruz talked about a bill that would force internet-connected devices with cameras to have labels as a check on mass surveillance. Cruz said he would only pass Paul's bill alongside a "spy fridge bill," Everett wrote.

Paul's opposition to the bill led Cruz to call him "the only libertarian on Planet Earth that is fighting to have more surveillance," Everett reported.

Paul brought up that Cruz wanted to require AM radios in all cars and said that he shouldn't be comparing a bill for the Boys and Girls Club to a "nationwide regulation with fines and fees," according to Everett's post.

He asked Cruz to "tell us why you hate the Boys and Girls Club. Don't say you have to accept a regulation on refrigerators," per Everett, who mentioned that neither of the senators' bills passed.