Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Tuesday questioned the sincerity of Vice President JD Vance’s “kind words” about the senator’s previous statements that he was eyeing a 2028 presidential bid.
Speaking with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Cruz was asked about statements Vance made last week when asked about Cruz and other Cabinet members eyeing the Oval Office. While stepping in as press secretary, Vance responded to a question from the Washington Examiner about 2028 hopefuls, such as Cruz and War Secretary Pete Hegseth, by telling Republicans to focus on the midterm elections. Vance later added that Cruz is a “very authentic and likable guy, and I’m sure he’ll do great.”
When asked if he thinks Vance meant what he said, as the two could be competitors once the 2028 campaign season begins, Cruz said, “I have no idea. You’d have to ask him.”
“I appreciate the kind words from the vice president, and I agree with him that we should be focusing on the midterms,” Cruz said of Vance’s response. “We’re 56 days out from the midterms. These midterms matter enormously. There’s a reason I’m crisscrossing the country, campaigning for candidates all over the country, because the outcome of this midterm is going to have a massive impact on the country.”
Cruz’s pivot to the midterm elections is somewhat of a retreat from statements he made at the end of August, in which he said it’s “no secret” that he is looking to be president. However, the senator declined to say whether or not he actually intends to run in 2028.
On Tuesday, Cruz said presidential conversation can wait until after the midterm elections, but noted that the GOP field is not quite set.
VANCE SAYS TED CRUZ IS ‘LIKABLE AND AUTHENTIC’ AS TEXAS SENATOR EYES UP A WHITE HOUSE BID
“I think there will be plenty of time to discuss that after the midterms,” he said. “And by the way, I have no idea who’s going to run for president in ’28. Look, JD may run. Marco Rubio may run. Tulsi Gabbard may run. Pete Hegseth may run. Bobby Kennedy may run. I don’t know who’s going to run. We’ll find that out next year.”
Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are currently viewed as the top contenders for the GOP’s 2028 nomination, though neither of them has confirmed they will run. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is among several others considering a bid.