Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) appears to be paving the way for a 2028 presidential run, despite overwhelming support for Vice President JD Vance as leader of the Republican Party.
Internal polling shows that Vance has a clear mandate, but that hasn’t stopped Cruz from joining the speaking circuit and pointing to bigger issues.
One tactic in Cruz’s arsenal is fanning the flames of his public feud with Tucker Carlson and taking thinly veiled swipes at President Trump.
Cruz said in a statement to Axios“We have a responsibility to speak out, even when it is uncomfortable.”
He continued, “When voices in our own movement advance dangerous and misleading ideas, we cannot look the other way. I will not hesitate to call out those who express destructive, despicable rhetoric and threaten our principles and our future. Silence in the face of recklessness is not an option.”
The apparent swipe at Trump, and by proxy Vance, did not go well.
Sean Davis of the Federalist noted: “It certainly seems like Cruz is taking a passive-aggressive swipe at Trump for defending Tucker’s right to interview whoever he wants.
Indeed, it appears that Cruz is taking a passive-aggressive swipe at Trump for defending Tucker’s right to interview whomever he wants. https://t.co/83VOoUFFue pic.twitter.com/HBCg07KokK
— Sean Davis (@seanmdav) November 17, 2025
Axl noted: “Right after President Trump says you can’t tell Tucker Carlson who to interview, Ted Cruz says we have a ‘responsibility’ to speak out against him… ”
“A rude awakening is in store if he wants to run for president in 2028 by positioning himself against DJT.”
“Lyin’ Ted Coming Back?”
Right after President Trump says you can’t tell Tucker Carlson who to interview, Ted Cruz says we have a ‘responsibility’ to speak out against him…
He will be in for a rude awakening if he wants to run for president in 2028 by positioning himself against DJT
Is Lyin’ Ted coming back? https://t.co/dyhvGokRNI pic.twitter.com/aQfe8YDVTT
— ALX (@alx) November 17, 2025
Robby Starbuck was direct and to the point about a potential Cruz presidential bid: “Breaking: Ted Cruz will lose the 2028 primaries. He has absolutely no chance against J.D. Vance.”
Breaking: Ted Cruz loses the 2028 primaries. He has absolutely no chance against JD Vance. https://t.co/hhYC4lKWbH
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) November 17, 2025
Jack Posobiec pointed out the timing of Cruz’s comments about Carlson: “Trump defended Tucker last night.”
“Here’s Ted Cruz today.”
Trump defended Tucker last night
Here’s Ted Cruz today: https://t.co/4iN2sCzWju pic.twitter.com/4MClxVTKaG
— Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) November 17, 2025
The Old Row founder summed up what Cruz’s attacks really are: “Ted Cruz’s bizarre attacks on Tucker Carlson are simply a proxy attack on JD Vance.”
“Extremely transparent game he is doing.”
Ted Cruz’s bizarre attacks on Tucker Carlson are simply a proxy attack on JD Vance. Extremely transparent game that he is involved in. https://t.co/SbQgvLXT62
— Swig (@OldRowSwig) November 17, 2025
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