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Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz criticized former Republican President Donald Trump for not spending any of his campaign fundraising cash reserves on Republican candidates he endorsed ahead of next week's midterm elections.
The GOP Senator lashed out at Trump while speaking on his The Verdict podcast, saying:
“Trump’s got $100 million, and he’s spending almost none of it to support these candidates."
Cruz and the one-term President have had a contentious relationship, but it's complicated.
You can watch a clip from the podcast, here.
\u201cSen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): \u201cI wish Trump was spending some of his money \u2026 It would be nice if Trump would spend some of that $100 million to help some of these candidates who Mitch [McConnell] is abandoning because they're pro-Trump."\u201d— The Recount (@The Recount) 1667404154
During the 2016 Presidential campaign, Trump denigrated Cruz's wife, repeatedly called the Texas Senator "Lying Ted" and falsely accused him of stealing an early win in the Iowa caucuses through fraud.
Trump even parroted a National Enquirer story alleging Cruz's father was tied to Democratic President John F. Kennedy's assassination.
In response, Cruz referred to Trump as a "pathological liar," "utterly amoral," "serial philanderer," and a "sniveling coward."
By Trump's 2017 inauguration, Cruz pivoted his views of Trump and openly communicated support for his policies, excused his bad behavior and helped him fight impeachment.
Cruz even alienated his allies over his attempt to help Trump overturn the 2020 election after President Joe Biden's victory in both the popular and electoral votes.
Political analysts believe Cruz's change in tune may have something to do with him eyeing the future as a potential Attorney General, Supreme Court Justice, or another attempt to be the Republican presidential candidate–all of which would not be possible without Trump's endorsement.
But on Monday's broadcast of The Verdict, Cruz bemoaned Trump's lack of financial support for candidates who align with him that Trump endorsed.
\u201chttps://t.co/LRya97N5qh\n\nTexas Senator Ted Cruz, speaking on his podcast \u2018The Verdict\u2019, said that despite having amassed a significant war chest, former president Donald Trump is not s...\u201d— Kenneth Kohlmeyer (@Kenneth Kohlmeyer) 1667439657
In the months leading up to the midterms, Trump–for the most part–has been endorsing Republican candidates and holding occasional rallies but has conspicuously been reluctant to dig deep into his pockets.
"I wish Trump was spending some of his money," lamented Cruz.
"Trump's got a hundred million dollars and he's spending almost none of it to support these candidates. That is not ideal."
Twitter offered little sympathy for the aggreived Senator, and they offered theories explaining Trump's frugality.
\u201c@Meidas_Adrienne That's what thieves do, Ted!\u201d— AdrienMarie! (@AdrienMarie!) 1667439515
\u201c@Meidas_Adrienne Unlikely TFG has that much money, but even if he did, he\u2019ll be stashing it away for himself. He doesn\u2019t care about anyone else.\u201d— AdrienMarie! (@AdrienMarie!) 1667439515
\u201c@Meidas_Adrienne Too bad, so sad.\u201d— AdrienMarie! (@AdrienMarie!) 1667439515
\u201c@Meidas_Adrienne Did you think he would. How do you think he got his plane up and running again\u201d— AdrienMarie! (@AdrienMarie!) 1667439515
\u201c@Meidas_Adrienne Gosh is anyone really surprised? Grifters not gonna share their grift.\u201d— AdrienMarie! (@AdrienMarie!) 1667439515
\u201cI laugh at all of you fools that thought Trump would spend any of that money on candidates. He\u2019s pocketing it for himself! @tedcruz \n\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\n\nSen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): \u201cTrump\u2019s got $100 million, and he\u2019s spending almost none of it to support these candidates." https://t.co/WE28DK5f7d\u201d— WineLoverSFCA (@WineLoverSFCA) 1667416551
Cruz also dragged Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for making contributions toward races that involve "moderates" or "anti-Trump" candidates instead of spending political dollars on Trump-supporting candidates.
"When Mitch McConnell only spends for the moderates or the anti-Trump candidates, it would be nice if Trump would spend some of that hundred million dollars to help some of these candidates who Mitch is abandoning because they're pro-Trump."
"Those are the two pockets of money that are there and right now, neither of them are spending in a number of these states."
\u201cAwwww. Ted just caught on ...\n\nSen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): \u201cTrump\u2019s got $100 million, and he\u2019s spending almost none of it to support these candidates."\n\nhttps://t.co/yMwPwwMzUV\u201d— EyeSpyPhotosLeah (@EyeSpyPhotosLeah) 1667467653
\u201cOhhh wahhhh ted. You're a millionaire why do you care. You can spend your money on them. \n\nSen. Ted Cruz (R-TX): \u201cTrump\u2019s got $100 million, and he\u2019s spending almost none of it to support these candidates."\n\nhttps://t.co/yldMj3sqZe\u201d— ThePugMrBean (@ThePugMrBean) 1667413362
\u201cInbred, infighting, what could be better, such fun watching!\nTed Cruz crosses the Maga cult leader the Don\ud83d\ude01\nhttps://t.co/ucss9XUaYz\u201d— \ud83d\udc3eI AmSami PATRIOT\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8/Vote\ud83d\udc99/\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8/Resist NaziGop (@\ud83d\udc3eI AmSami PATRIOT\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8/Vote\ud83d\udc99/\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8/Resist NaziGop) 1667428419
Cruz's concern follows the general consensus of many Republicans disappointed in Trump for not spending enough on preferred candidates at a time when the party can potentially seize control of the Senate once again.