Sore loser? Trump accuses Cruz of 'stealing' Iowa caucus
After placing second in the Iowa Caucus, Donald Trump took to Twitter to blast the winner, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), accusing him of committing fraud during the selection process. Trump called for the results to be “nullified.”
The tirade began Wednesday morning, after the real estate magnate faced public ridicule for coming in second.
Ted Cruz didn't win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
An earlier ‒ and since-deleted ‒ tweet said Cruz "illegally stole" the caucus win.
Donald Trump deleted this tweet pic.twitter.com/eST4T3RYlE
— Colin Campbell (@BKcolin) February 3, 2016
Trump then laid out why he believed that Cruz committed fraud during the caucuses, including releasing a statement that neurosurgeon Ben Carson was quitting the race and asking for the doctor’s supporters to caucus for Cruz instead; sending out "voter violation certificates"; and claiming that Trump was strongly in favor of Obamacare and abortion.
During primetime of the Iowa Caucus, Cruz put out a release that @RealBenCarson was quitting the race, and to caucus (or vote) for Cruz.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
Many people voted for Cruz over Carson because of this Cruz fraud. Also, Cruz sent out a VOTER VIOLATION certificate to thousands of voters.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
The Voter Violation certificate gave poor marks to the unsuspecting voter(grade of F) and told them to clear it up by voting for Cruz. Fraud
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
And finally, Cruz strongly told thousands of caucusgoers (voters) that Trump was strongly in favor of ObamaCare and "choice" - a total lie!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
There was speculation that Carson had left Iowa early on the day of voting.
Carson won't go to NH/SC, but instead will head home to Florida for some R&R. He'll be in DC Thursday for the National Prayer Breakfast.
— Chris Moody (@moody) February 2, 2016
The Carson campaign also accused Cruz of playing dirty tricks. The Texas senator apologized on Tuesday.
Trump also attacked Cruz from the stump on Tuesday night, bashing the Canadian-born senator’s honesty, Business Insider reported.
"What kind of people do we have running for office?" the billionaire businessman said at a campaign event in Milford, New Hampshire. "No, it's honestly really, really dishonest. And I think I know why. You know why? Because he was born in Canada!"
Following Trump's second-place finish in Iowa – which means he will move on from the Hawkeye State with only one less delegate devoted to his candidacy than first-place finisher Cruz – the Donald took to Twitter to bash "unfair treatment by the media," despite his campaign's domination of media coverage in the run-up to the caucus.
The media has not covered my long-shot great finish in Iowa fairly. Brought in record voters and got second highest vote total in history!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016
I will be talking about my wonderful experience in Iowa and the simultaneous unfair treatment by the media-later in New Hampshire. Big crowd
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate tweeted Tuesday morning that he had received complaints of voter fraud in the caucuses, but cautioned Iowans that the meetings are not official elections and are up to each party.
Seeing allegations of fraud relating to #iIowaCaucus. I hear u. But plz realize @IowaGOP & @iowademocrats run caucus. NOT official election.
— Iowa Sec. of State (@IowaSOS) February 2, 2016
There have also been allegations of potential fraud during the Democratic caucuses on Monday night.
