After months of trading insults on the GOP campaign trail, it all came to a fitting end for Ted Cruz during his RNC speech. Cruz had hoped to use the speech as a springboard to a potential 2020 presidential campaign. Instead, the crowd’s boos began to grow louder as it became obvious Cruz would not endorse Donald Trump in the speech.
While Cruz opened the speech by congratulating Donald Trump for winning the nomination, he did not mention Trump’s name again. He was greeted with boos towards the end of the speech:
The crowd could be heard chanting “We want Trump” as Cruz awkwardly tried to continue his speech.
Cruz’s speech focused on the theme “freedom” where he talked policy in general terms rather than praising Trump. Trump was pictured on the screen towards the end of the speech to try to quell the booing.
Members of the GOP were waiting to see if Cruz would endorse Trump during his speech. They got their answer as Cruz’s speech continued on in length with no reference to Trump.
Trump and Cruz have had a contentious relationship. Trump accused Cruz of circulating a negative campaign ad with his wife and tweeted an unflattering photo of Cruz’s wife. Cruz responded with harsh words. “I don’t get angry often. But you mess with my wife, you mess with my kids — that’ll do it every time. Donald, you’re a sniveling coward and leave Heidi the hell alone,” Cruz told CBS.
Here was how Twitter reacted to the bizarre moment:
So, today’s checklist so far: Trump delegate proposes murdering Hillary, Nazi salute, Ted Cruz booed off stage, Jumbotron goes out
Thank you @tedcruz for affirming religious freedom for all people, of any faith, and for highlighting importance of conscience.
You know who was FASCINATED by @tedcruz‘s speech?
Bernie Sanders.
From @DanaBashCNN: Some people on donor suite level so angry at @tedcruz they called him disgrace to his face; one man had to be restrained…