Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says he will probably create a super PAC with the aim of hobbling the political future of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
Trump, a mercurial businessman whose promises have often been subject to deep skepticism, confirmed the plan in an interview set to air Sunday on NBC. He was asked about a report Friday that said he wants to set up a super PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, to go after Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich, two former Republican primary opponents who have not endorsed him.
In in the interview, Trump started off by saying the super PAC plan is “not the number one thing on my mind” and that he is currently focused on winning the White House. “With that being said, yeah, I’ll probably do a super PAC, you know, when they run against Kasich, for $10 million to $20 million, against Ted Cruz,” Trump said.
Trump added that the super PAC would target a third person, but he declined to say who.
He first floated the idea of an anti-Cruz super PAC in remarks to supporters Friday in Cleveland. “Maybe I’ll set up a super PAC if he decides to run” in 2020, Trump said.
Trump’s comments represent his latest bid for vengeance against Cruz, who is up for re-election to the Senate in 2018 and is considered a potential presidential candidate in 2020. Cruz drew the wrath of Trump and his supporters with an address Wednesday at the Republican National Convention that declined to offer any support for the nominee.
Trump’s interview is scheduled to air Sunday morning on “Meet the Press with Chuck Todd.” A Cruz representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune, a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them – about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
Top image: Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz rally in Texas prior to the 2016 Texas primary. Photo by Shelby Tauber/Marjorie Kamys Cotera, courtesy of Texas Tribune.
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I don’t agree with Trump on much, but am all for anything that keeps Cruz out of elected office. That he has spent more time as a senator trying to shut down the government and running for president is evidence that he has no interest in serving Texas.
I suspect both Cruz and Trump wanting to be president is more about stroking their already massive egos and less about our nation’s best interest.