Full Breakdown
Ted Cruz Calls Trump’s 2016 Nickname a “Political Genius” as He Mulls 2028 Run
9/2/2026, 8:33:32 PM
Cruz Praises Trump’s “Lyin’ Ted” Tactic
Senator Ted Cruz told Sean Hannity’s podcast that Donald Trump’s 2016 branding of him as “Lyin’ Ted” was “political genius.” Cruz argued the jab succeeded because it targeted his reputation for keeping promises, likening the maneuver to a martial-arts technique that uses an opponent’s strength against him. He added that the strategy appeared driven more by instinct than calculated reasoning.
Rivalry-to-Alliance Timeline
- 2015-2016: Cruz and Trump began as allies, then became bitter primary rivals. Trump coined “Lyin’ Ted,” contributing to Cruz’s loss in the Republican primary.
- Post-primary: Trump repeatedly questioned Cruz’s honesty and even his eligibility, while Cruz called Trump a “pathological liar,” “narcissist,” and “sniveling coward.”
- 2016-2022: Cruz shifted to a loyal Senate ally, defending Trump during the first impeachment and supporting efforts to contest the 2020 election results.
- 2024: Cruz again backed Trump for president.
- 2026: In an MS Now interview last week, Cruz described Trump as an “extraordinary president” and “fearless.”
Official Statements & Responses
Cruz praised the nickname’s effectiveness, saying it “went to my greatest strength” and was “brilliant.” He noted Trump’s later softening, recalling the former president’s reference to Cruz as “Beautiful Ted.” Cruz’s own criticism of Trump—labeling him a pathological liar and narcissist—remains on record from the same interview.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No, because I respect the fight,” — Ted Cruz
- “If you look at that race, my biggest strength was people trusted me,” — Ted Cruz
- “Like you do martial arts, it’s jiu-jitsu. It’s using your opponent’s strength against him. It was brilliant,” — Ted Cruz
Political Implications
Cruz’s endorsement of Trump’s tactics coincides with his own speculation about a 2028 presidential bid, positioning him against Vice President J.D. Vance, the current front-runner for the Republican nomination. By reframing a past insult as a strategic triumph, Cruz seeks to portray his loyalty to Trump as a calculated political asset while signaling his readiness to launch his own campaign.
