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“There was always a good reason I refused to back Ted Cruz for President.”
🇺🇸 FNF News | U.S. Politics & Power
Published: June 18, 2025
By: Khadija Khan, Senior Political Correspondent
Why I Never Backed Ted Cruz for President — And Why I Never Will
Washington, D.C. — In a Republican Party brimming with ambition, it has become fashionable to brand every firebrand senator or viral quote-machine as “presidential material.” But despite Senator Ted Cruz’s longevity, rhetorical flair, and Ivy League résumé, I never supported him for the presidency. And nothing in the last decade has changed that view—if anything, recent events have only solidified it.
Cruz has always been a paradox: brilliant but brittle, bold but divisive, and a man who could win a courtroom yet lose a crowd. The Texas senator, now in his third term, remains a force on Capitol Hill — but one who has consistently alienated friends, fumbled key alliances, and played both sides of the conservative street when clarity was most needed.
The 2016 Wounds Never Healed
Let’s go back to 2016, where many of today’s grudges began.
In that presidential primary, Cruz was the last man standing between Donald J. Trump and the nomination. His campaign leaned heavily into constitutional conservatism, evangelical appeals, and Tea Party energy — but it failed to inspire working-class voters in the way Trump did.
And when Trump insulted his wife and accused his father of being linked to JFK’s assassin, Cruz called him a “pathological liar” on national television. Many applauded his defiance.
But then? He endorsed Trump anyway.
The damage was done — not just to Cruz’s reputation, but to the credibility of his convictions.
“That was the moment we realized Ted Cruz is not driven by principle. He’s driven by political calculus,” said former RNC advisor Kyle McManus. “You can’t call a man unfit for office and then beg for a speaking slot at his convention three months later.”
Trumpism Without Trump
In recent years, Cruz has tried to walk the impossible line: adopt the rhetoric of Trumpism without fully embracing the man himself. He rails against the “Deep State,” decries “globalist policies,” and pledges allegiance to “America First.” And yet, he’s repeatedly found himself at odds with Trump’s base.
Case in point: Cruz’s January 6th Electoral College stunt, where he led an objection to Arizona’s certification. Critics called it performative. Supporters of Trump called it too little, too late. He managed to anger everyone.
“Cruz speaks like he’s fighting the system,” says political analyst Reema Langford. “But the base doesn’t trust him. And the establishment doesn’t like him. That’s a bad spot to be in.”
Tone vs. Trust
At the heart of Cruz’s problem is this: he can talk the talk, but few believe he’ll walk the walk.
Unlike Trump, who shot from the hip and rewrote the rules of engagement, Cruz often sounds rehearsed. His courtroom background and debate team polish make his statements sound calculated — which is great for law review, but death in populist politics.
“Cruz doesn’t move people — he lectures them,” Langford added. “He wins the argument and loses the audience.”
Recent Flashes of Controversy
Just last week, Cruz made headlines for a fiery speech in the Senate on border security and “globalist incompetence.” But the quote, stripped of context and posted online, was widely — and wrongly — attributed to Donald Trump. The fact that few could tell the difference is telling — and damning.
Many conservatives expressed shock when they found out it was Cruz who made the remarks. Others said it highlighted his chameleon-like political style: taking on the tone of the dominant voice in the room (currently Trump), but lacking the authentic connection with the base.
That’s not leadership. That’s mimicry.
The Case Against a Cruz Presidency
Even now, with whispers of a 2028 Cruz campaign beginning to circulate, it’s worth remembering why his previous runs never caught fire:
- He’s not likable. Even many of his Republican colleagues struggle to work with him.
- He’s inconsistent. From the Trump feud to vaccine flip-flops, Cruz has waffled on too many key issues.
- He inspires division. Whether it’s his refusal to condemn January 6 fully or his penchant for grandstanding, Cruz rarely unites the party.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Figure, Not a Commander-in-Chief
Ted Cruz will remain a staple of Republican politics. He will continue to speak out, rile up hearings, dominate cable news panels, and author legislation that’s dead-on-arrival.
But a president? No.
The presidency demands more than words, more than ambition, more than constitutional credentials. It requires a deep bond with the people — a trust that Cruz has never earned and may never fully understand.
And that is why I never backed him for president. And why I never will.