President Trump departed for Texas Monday afternoon to hit the campaign trail with GOP Senator Ted Cruz; saying he has a “beautiful” relationship with the Republican legislator and calling his liberal challenger “highly overrated.”
Trump was speaking with reporters from the White House lawn when he was asked to comment on the massive rally taking place Monday evening in the Lone Star State.
President Trump on Sen. Ted Cruz, who he will be campaigning for in Texas tonight: “Ted and I get along very well … He’s not ‘Lyin’ Ted’ anymore, he’s ‘Beautiful Ted.’ I call him ‘Texas Ted’" https://t.co/9iUX6VKDtB pic.twitter.com/PZFgHK6ajJ
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) October 22, 2018
The rally doesn’t start for 8 more hours. We’re at this level. #Trump #Cruz #Houston pic.twitter.com/By7Pwi0ESX
— Wes Rapaport (@wesrap) October 22, 2018
“We have over 100,000 people, they lined-up two days ago… Ted’s going to get up and going to make a great speech. I’m going to get up and make a great speech,” said the President.
“Beto O’Rourke is highly overrated. When I heard about him, I thought he must be a little bit special; he’s not. I think he’s a highly overrated guy,” he added.
Watch the President’s comments above.
CRUZIN' AHEAD: New Poll Shows Ted Cruz with 9% Lead over Democratic Challenger
A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Texas Sen. Ted Cruz opening a slight lead over Democratic challenger Beto O’Rourke in recent days; easing GOP concerns over whether the former presidential hopeful can hang on to his seat.
Despite the popular Democrat closing the gap in recent months, Cruz now holds a 54% to 45% advantage over O’Rourke according to the new survey; opening a 9% advantage just weeks before Texans head to the voting booth.
#TedCruz Has 9-Point Likely Voter Lead in #TexasSenate Race, Poll Finds; #PresidentTrump Gets a Split 49 – 49 Percent Job Approval Score https://t.co/cTntZIGqlh
— Quinnipiac University Poll (@QuinnipiacPoll) September 18, 2018
“The Texas U.S. Senate race between Sen. Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto O’Rourke, and Democratic hopes for an upset win there, have boosted talk of a Senate takeover. These numbers may calm that talk,” said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll. “Congressman O’Rourke may be drawing big crowds and media attention, but Texas likely voters like Sen. Cruz better.”
ANTIFA FAIL: DC Restaurant Confirms Cruz Returned After Attack, Finished ‘Exceptional’ Dinner
A spokesperson for the DC-area restaurant where Ted Cruz was confronted by Antifa activists Monday night confirmed the Texas Senator returned minutes after the attack; saying the lawmaker and his wife were able to “finish their exceptional meal” in silence.
The local eatery posted an official statement regarding the confrontation after video of the incident surfaced on social media, saying “Last night, protesters entered Fiola with the apparent purpose of confronting one of our guests.”
“When the situation resolved a few minutes later, our guests returned to thank the staff for their support and to finish their exceptional meal,” added the statement.
According to @fioladc chef/owner Fabio Trabocchi, @tedcruz & Heidi Cruz returned to the restaurant they were forced out of last night. After the protestors left, the Cruzes apparently came back and finished their meal in peace. pic.twitter.com/fM967Ow4Zs
— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) September 26, 2018
Cruz and his wife are the latest example of prominent Republicans to be harassed in public. Earlier this year, Rep. Maxine Waters urged her supporters to confront senior Trump officials and supporters at “gas stations” and “department stores.”