Ted Cruz Explores 2028 Presidential Bid, Downplays Trump Endorsement Importance

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is quietly sounding out potential staffers for a 2028 presidential campaign, according to a report published Wednesday.

The Texas Republican has traveled to Iowa three times this year, promoted a new book, and engaged with podcasts. On a podcast released Wednesday, Cruz addressed the significance of President Donald Trump's endorsement for 2028, stating it carries weight but that the voters are going to make their own determination. The Independent characterized this response as Cruz preparing for a scenario without Trump's backing.

Trump had previously called Cruz very talented in late August but stopped short of an endorsement. Cruz has openly expressed his presidential ambitions, saying last month on a podcast hosted by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, "It's no secret that I want to be president. I ran for president." He added, "Time will tell" regarding another run.

Cruz has also targeted Vice President JD Vance, who currently leads early Republican polling. Cruz criticized Vance, stating, "JD negotiated the MOU with Iran. That was a terrible deal." Allies of Vance have privately dismissed a Cruz candidacy, suggesting it would not pose a serious threat to the vice president. Trump indicated his preference for Vance this summer, telling donors, at the end of the day, they need to elect JD.

Iowa Republicans interviewed by the Wall Street Journal last Saturday at a GOP event named Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio before Cruz. In a separate account, Senator Cruz recalled President Trump's reaction to an Elon Musk tweet claiming Trump was in the Epstein files. Cruz described Trump's technicolor meltdown during a meeting, noting Trump's knuckles turned white after an aide presented him with a printout of Musk's post.

This incident occurred after Musk's departure from government in May 2025, when he began criticizing Trump's spending legislation. Cruz previously ran for the GOP nomination in 2016, winning Iowa and 12 states, and refused to endorse Trump at the 2016 Republican convention.