Today Ted Cruz endorsed Donald Trump, putting the cherry on top of the Texas senator’s complicated relationship with the Republican nominee—a relationship that’s involved a lot of vitriol, name-calling, and a sprinkle of admiration, but mostly hate. Thankfully, it’s all captured on Twitter.
It began cordially enough. Cruz even called Trump “terrific.”
I’m pleased to welcome @realDonaldTrump into the race for the 2016 GOP nomination for President of the United States https://t.co/T2ZWtAcwQ3
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 16, 2015
The Establishment’s only hope: Trump & me in a cage match.
Sorry to disappoint — @realDonaldTrump is terrific. #DealWithIt
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) December 11, 2015
But things soon got ugly.
Lying #Ted Cruz just (on election day) came out with a sneak and sleazy Robocall. He holds up the Bible but in fact is a true lowlife pol!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2016
.@realDonaldTrump, showing class & grace, calls me a “soft weak little baby.” Hope he doesn’t try to eat me! https://t.co/bv9ID4lEhF
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 24, 2016
Why would Texans vote for “liar” Ted Cruz when he was born in Canada, lived there for 4 years-and remained a Canadian citizen until recently
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2016
Falsely accusing someone of lying is itself a lie. And it’s something @realDonaldTrump does daily. #GOPDebate
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 26, 2016
Then Trump got their wives involved…
“@Don_Vito_08: “A picture is worth a thousand words” @realDonaldTrump #LyingTed #NeverCruz @MELANIATRUMP pic.twitter.com/5bvVEwMVF8“
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2016
At which point, Cruz called Trump a “sniveling coward” and vowed to beat him.
Donald Trump’s consistently disgraceful behavior is beneath the office we are seeking and we are not going to follow https://t.co/BG9IHd1Oqg
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 25, 2016
Cruz called Trump a Democrat, compared him to Hillary Clinton, and called for him to release his tax returns.
The @realDonaldTrump is a Democrat and should not be our Party’s nominee: https://t.co/mBA1SgiEWx pic.twitter.com/oJFc7pDCv2
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 24, 2016
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — flip sides of the same coin.#ChooseCruz: https://t.co/NKVu9AtZb7https://t.co/AOtZQoV9Kz
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 30, 2016
Nominating Donald Trump would be a train wreck. It would be handing the White House over to Hillary Clinton. #GOPTownHall
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 30, 2016
I’ve released 9 years of tax returns. RT if you agree it’s time for Donald Trump to release his! https://t.co/08whtFVC0r
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 19, 2016
Even when Cruz dropped out of the race, he refused to endorse Trump at the Republican National Convention, urging people to vote their consciences.
To those listening, please don’t stay home in November. If you love our country, stand and speak and vote your conscience #RNCinCLE
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 21, 2016
Today, Cruz argues that he’s voting for Trump because Hillary Clinton is “manifestly unfit” to be president. “If Clinton wins, we know—with 100% certainty—that she would deliver on her left-wing promises, with devastating results for our country,” he wrote in his announcement.
Seems like only yesterday when Cruz tweeted:
Flexibility is a good thing, but you shouldn’t be flexible on core principles. #GOPDebate
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) February 14, 2016