Ted Cruz booed for speaking as if running for president at RNC
Senator Ted Cruz was the last formidable challenger to Donald Trump during the vitriolic Republican primary, and the tension between the two never ended. Trump upstaged Cruz as delegates booed the runner-up’s convention speech Wednesday night.
“Vote your conscience,” Cruz, the junior US senator of Texas, told the Republican National Convention crowd in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cruz basically gave a speech as if he were the nominee. The crowd did NOT appreciate it. #RNCinCLEpic.twitter.com/OoF3yNmR4U
— Nebojsa Malic (@NebojsaMalic) July 21, 2016
That non-endorsement was rejected as “Washington speak” by Trump surrogate Chris Christie, former governor of New Jersey.
The delegates and attendees on the convention floor seemed to feel the same way, that Cruz spoke as though he himself were the Republican Party’s nominee. Trump made sure it was clear to whom that title belonged, appearing in his seating box just as Cruz was wrapping up, to the sound of boos from the crowd.
Crowd boo's #TedCruz off the stage as Donald Trump crashes his convention speech #RNCinCLehttps://t.co/itc5iBhAbjpic.twitter.com/QCqTTwhvdy
— RT America (@RT_America) July 21, 2016
“Honor your pledge!” some shouted, alluding to Cruz’s promise during primary debates that he would endorse the nominee, no matter who it was.
Many on Twitter went as far as to invoke, as was done during the primary, the Zodiac killer, Cruz’s infamous, unfortunate doppleganger.
Ted Cruz stabbed Donald Trump in the back
— Kick (@MatthewKick) July 21, 2016
That's something the ZODIAC KILLER WOULD DO.
Amazing that the Zodiac Killer turned out to be the person with the most integrity at the Republican National Convention.
— Austin Gilkeson (@osutein) July 21, 2016
Ted Cruz could find a way to get booed at his own birthday party. #RNCinCLE
— Adam Newman (@Adam_Newman) July 21, 2016
I guess Ted Cruz just beat Marco Rubio for the 2020 nomination. Unless Putin jumps in, or Rick Santorum's sweater, or a talking gun.
— Andy Daly (@TVsAndyDaly) July 21, 2016
Heidi Cruz, Ted’s wife, was not even spared the bitter backlash from some on the floor.
“Have a good night at Goldman Sachs!” a man was heard yelling as she was escorted out of the venue by security.
Frmr VA Att Gen Ken Cuccinelli escorts #HeidiCruz to safety as #Trump supporters yell vulgarity at her—via @gmoomawpic.twitter.com/XQdyA2snyl
— Mary Zimnik (@maryzimnik) July 21, 2016
Cruz did receive some support on Twitter. Editor of the neoconservative magazine The Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol, urged him to run an independent presidential campaign.
“Give me a call,” Kristol tweeted.
Dear @SenTedCruz: If you'd like to run so there'll be a candidate in the fall who believes in freedom and the Constitution, give me a call.
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 21, 2016