Cruz: Allegations of affairs ‘garbage’
Trump denies part in tabloid’s bombshell
WASHINGTON — U.S. presidential candidate Ted Cruz called a tabloid story “garbage” Friday, labeling it part of a “smear” campaign planted by a top Donald Trump ally, as the Republican candidates face continued attacks over their personal lives.
Cruz’s decision to respond to the story in the National Enquirer, which detailed allegations against him of extramarital affairs, showed an eagerness to push the conversation back to Trump. Cruz blamed Trump ally Roger Stone for the attack.
“This National Enquirer story is garbage; it is complete and utter lies,” Cruz said during a campaign stop in Wisconsin. “It is a tabloid smear and it is a smear that has come from Donald Trump and his henchmen.”
Trump, though, shot back that the story wasn’t from him.
“I had absolutely nothing to do with it, did not know about it, and have not, as yet, read it,” Trump said in a statement.
“Ted Cruz’s problem with the National Enquirer is his and his alone. And while they were right about O.J. Simpson, John Edwards and many others, I certainly hope they are not right about Lyin’ Ted Cruz,” he added, still managing to jab in his preferred insult for Cruz.
The new round of mudslinging arrives as the two men and their allies launched increasingly personal attacks this week on each other’s marriages, dragging their wives into the political fight.
A nude magazine photo of Trump’s wife, Melania, a former model, was used in ads from a pro-Cruz super PAC in an attempt to push conservative voters away from Trump.
Trump responded Tuesday by threatening to “spill the beans” on Cruz’s wife, Heidi.
Cruz on Wednesday told the billionaire to “leave Heidi the hell alone.”
“Donald does seem to have an issue with women,” he said. “Donald doesn’t like strong women. Strong women scare Donald.”
Trump has a big lead in the delegate chase for the Republican nomination. Cruz has a stiff challenge trying to catch him in remaining races and may only have a shot at the nomination if the contest spills into the summer convention.
The lurch into personal territory normally off-limits in campaigns came as an anti-Trump super political action committee ran an ad in primary states that features women reciting derogatory comments made by Trump.