'A very good friend': Trump's surprising take on Ted Cruz's 2028 plans

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump described Sen Ted Cruz as a “very good friend” when asked about the Texas Republican potentially seeking the presidency in 2028.

Trump said Cruz could “do good” if he runs, offering an unusually warm assessment of his former Republican primary rival.

The president made the comments on Thursday, August 27, while answering reporters’ questions in the Oval Office after signing an order concerning Lake Ontario.

Trump gives Ted Cruz a warm 2028 assessment

Asked about Cruz “teasing” a 2028 presidential run, Trump praised the senator’s abilities and their current relationship.

“I would say that he’s very talented. He’s a very good friend of mine. I think he might do good, yeah. He’s a talented guy,” Trump said.

The comments stand out against the history between the two Republicans. Trump and Cruz competed against each other for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, and their campaign relationship became heated, with Trump publicly taking jabs at Cruz’s wife.

Cruz has since been more direct about his interest in another presidential campaign. During an interview this week with Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick on the ‘LT DAN podcast’, he said it was “no secret” that he wants to be president.

He stopped short of saying he will run again, however, telling Patrick that “time will tell.”

Ted Cruz says GOP has not picked a candidate

Cruz also indicated this week that Republicans have not settled on a 2028 candidate, including Vice President JD Vance.

Speaking with MS NOW’s Ali Vitali, Cruz said the party had not decided or backed any one candidate yet.

“There is going to be a full discussion about who we are and what we believe,” Cruz said, adding, “I’ll certainly be part of the discussion.”

Trump likewise has not publicly endorsed a 2028 successor. He has, however, spoken positively about Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio when discussing potential candidates.

Earlier this month, Trump called Vance the “most likely” successor to take over his MAGA movement. 

He also suggested Vance and Rubio could “get together” but said it was “too early” for such discussions.

“I think most likely, in all fairness, he’s the vice president,” Trump said. “And I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form.”

Trump added that there were “incredible people” among those around him.

Trump's comments came during a Canada dispute

The Cruz exchange came as Trump was discussing a separate executive action involving Canada and Lake Ontario.

Trump said he was changing the lake’s name to “Lake America,” a move he tied to his complaints about trade with Canada. 

Canadian officials have already said they will not recognize the new name.

“We’re going to be changing the name of Lake Ontario, effective immediately to Lake America,” Trump said before signing the order.

When asked what message he was trying to send, Trump initially said, “No message.” 

He then accused Canada of taking advantage of the United States on trade.

“Canada has been ripping us off for a long time on trade,” Trump said.

The president has also previously ordered the Gulf of Mexico to be called the “Gulf of America.” 

On Thursday, he joked that an ocean could be next, saying, “Maybe we’ll have to change the name of the Atlantic, and/or the Pacific. Maybe we’ll change them both.”

Trump’s remarks about Cruz therefore came during an Oval Office appearance dominated by the US-Canada trade dispute, but the Texas senator’s 2028 ambitions emerged as a separate political topic. 

Cruz has openly acknowledged his presidential aspirations while leaving the question of another campaign unresolved.