News
James Somper
Sep 24, 2016
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Ted Cruz has endorsed Donald Trump for the US presidency less than five months after the Texan senator called the businessman and TV personality a “pathological liar” and “utterly amoral”.
In a statement to supporters on Friday, Mr Cruz said:
This election is unlike any other in our nation's history. Like many other voters, I have struggled to determine the right course of action in this general election. After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
Writing in a Facebook post, Mr Cruz went on to add that: “A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment. And if you don't want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him."
The announcement was met with furore by most Republicans on social media.
Why I believe @tedcruz will make a mistake by endorsing @realDonaldTrump. My latest for @CR https://t.co/r62dmEVF6I— Steve Deace (@Steve Deace) 1474654979
That's gonna leave a mark. Ted Cruz and his conscience amicably part ways https://t.co/ryekWByOMt— Rick Wilson (@Rick Wilson) 1474678943
However, there were some Republicans who supported Mr Cruz’s decision.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump spoke of his pleasure that Cruz had finally backed him.
"I am greatly honored by the endorsement of Senator Cruz," Trump said in a statement obtained by CNN. "We have fought the battle and he was a tough and brilliant opponent. I look forward to working with him for many years to come in order to make America great again”.
Trump's running mate, Mike Pence took to Twitter to welcome the announcment.
.@tedcruz is a leader of the conservative movement. I'm truly grateful for his endorsement of @realDonaldTrump. Tog… https://t.co/YYvQ1lVSeN— Mike Pence (@Mike Pence) 1474670454
Pretty chummy eh? Well, not really. As people have been pointing out already, mutual animosity and insults have been the defining aspect of the relationship between the two men.
Only two months ago Trump said: “I don't want his endorsement. If he gives it, I will not accept it, just so you understand. If he gives it I will - I will not accept. It won't matter. Honestly he should've done it because nobody cares and he would've been in better shape for four years from now."
Back in May, Cruz called Trump a “pathological liar”, “utterly amoral,” and “a narcissist at a level I don't think this country's ever seen" as well “a serial philanderer”.
Cruz later went on to refuse to publicly endorse Trump at the Republican National Convention, telling delegates that: “I am not in the habit of supporting someone who attacks my wife and attacks my father” after Mr Trump accussed Mr Cruz’s father of being involved in the assassination of President Kennedy and retweeting a particularly unflattering photo of Heidi Cruz aside one of his ex-model wife, Melania, with the caption “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
On the whole, social media has gone pretty mad in the wake of the announcement:
At least both parties have come together to make fun of Ted Cruz. #unity— Zach Braff (@Zach Braff) 1474683818
On the bright side, it's nice to be able to loathe Ted Cruz unreservedly again.— Adam Feldman (@Adam Feldman) 1474671344
Ted Cruz's total lack of morals would be a lot scarier if he didn't also have the charisma of wet newspaper.— Josh Gondelman (@Josh Gondelman) 1474670966
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