Trump says he is ‘not surprised to hear’ report of Ted Cruz’s 2028 presidential run
🚨 JUST IN: President Trump has a HILARIOUS response to Ted Cruz preparing a 2028 presidential campaign
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 17, 2025
"We had quite a campaign against Ted. It worked out quite nicely. Let's see, where are we - the OVAL OFFICE!" 🤣🔥
"He's a friend of mine. I haven't spoken to him about it.… pic.twitter.com/fiOYdEvjxc
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump praised Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Monday, November 17, after a reporter asked him about Cruz’s potential 2028 presidential run.
The question followed an Axios report earlier that morning claiming Cruz is “laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential bid by leaning into his feud with Tucker Carlson, and staking out turf as a traditional, pro-interventionist Republican.” Read on to find out how Trump responded.
Trump responds to the report on Ted Cruz’s 2028 presidential run
A reporter asked President Donald Trump about the Axios report during an Oval Office Q&A on Monday afternoon, November 17.
The reporter asked, “There was some news this morning from an Axios report that Senator Ted Cruz was laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential run. Could I get your reaction to would, could you see yourself supporting?”
To which Trump responded, “Well, he’s a friend of mine. I mean, no I haven’t spoken to him about it. It’s a little early. It’s three and a quarter years, it’s a long time."
Trump praised Cruz: "But he’s a very good guy. He’s a very good friend of mine. You remember, we had quite a campaign against Ted and it worked out quite nicely. Well see, where are we? Oh, we’re in the Oval Office. But I’m not that surprised to hear that.”
During their 2016 battle for the Republican presidential nomination, Trump frequently called Cruz “Lyin’ Ted,” later softening it to “Beautiful Ted” as he campaigned on Cruz’s behalf.
Ted Cruz sidesteps 2028 bid questions
On November 17, Senator Ted Cruz stayed cautious when Fox News host Harris Faulkner asked him about the Axios report suggesting a possible 2028 presidential run.
🚨JUST IN: Sen. Ted Cruz is asked about the Axios article saying that he is "Eyeing a 2028 Run." He immediately begins bragging about himself.
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) November 17, 2025
CRUZ: "You know, reporters are going to write headlines that get clicks and get eyeballs."
"The one big beautiful bill—I was blessed… pic.twitter.com/g5tEwsxKOi
“Reporters are going to write headlines that get clicks and get eyeballs. I got a job, it’s representing 31 million Texans. And I’ll tell you right now, the wins we are getting are historic,” Cruz said, without directly confirming or denying the report.
Cruz also highlighted his role in shaping President Donald Trump’s signature tax and spending bill passed by Congress in July. “The ‘one big, beautiful bill’ you were talking about just a minute ago, I was blessed to write major portions of that bill,” he said.
According to Axios, Cruz is positioning himself for another White House bid. By emphasizing his pro-intervention stance, particularly on issues like Israel, Cruz distinguishes himself from other potential 2028 Republican candidates, including Vice President JD Vance.
The debate over US intervention has divided the GOP for months, with pundits, candidates, and lawmakers weighing how America should engage globally.
Unlike Vance and many others in Trump’s circle, who argue the US should focus on domestic issues and reduce involvement in Ukraine and the Middle East, Cruz insists that strong American leadership is essential for national and global security. Most recently, he pointed to Nigeria, where Christians have faced severe persecution.
“It’s why my focus right now is on the Christians in Nigeria,” Cruz said, sidestepping questions about 2028. “I was at the White House last week with the president, thanking him for standing up for the Christians in Nigeria.”
