Cruz on Trump labeling him ‘Lyin’ Ted’: ‘The man has an instinctual genius’
Sen. Ted Cruz praised former President Donald Trump for coining the nickname "Lyin' Ted" during their heated 2016 Republican primary contest, calling the epithet an example of Trump's "instinctual genius." In a Wednesday interview on the New York Post's "Podcast One," Cruz described the nickname as "politically very effective" and said Trump used it to undercut him during the race.
Why It Matters
The exchange revisits tactics from a high-profile primary battle that shaped both men's political trajectories and remains a touchstone for intra-party rivalries. Cruz's comments also reflect ongoing public reflections by GOP figures about campaign strategies and personal attacks from that cycle.
Key Facts
- Subject: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
- Target: Former President Donald Trump
- Nickname discussed: "Lyin' Ted"
- Context: 2016 Republican presidential primary
- Interview: New York Post's "Podcast One"
Sen. Ted Cruz reflected on the role of a memorable personal epithet in the 2016 Republican primary, praising former President Donald Trump for the political impact of the nickname "Lyin' Ted." In a Wednesday appearance on the New York Post's "Podcast One," Cruz called the nickname an example of Trump's "instinctual genius" and said it was "politically very effective."
Cruz tied the effectiveness of the nickname to its role in the fierce contest between the two men for the 2016 GOP nomination. He framed Trump's use of the label as a deliberate tactic to weaken his standing during the campaign.
The remarks revisit a well-known episode from the primary season that many observers have cited as illustrative of Trump's branding approach and of the personal nature of the race between the candidates. Cruz's comments were presented during a New York Post podcast interview and focused specifically on the nickname's political utility.
Keep Reading
Iran war live: Tehran sets terms for peace; Saudi forces foil Riyadh attack
DR Congo rolls out Ebola vaccine for health workers as death toll rises
Trump’s MAGA Inc. funnels another $5 million into Texas Senate race
