1:55Sen. Ted Cruz is present at a hearing regarding the nomination of Adm. Kevin Lunday, current acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, to be the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Nov. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill.Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
When Texas Senator Ted Cruz made remarks at the Republican Jewish Coalition conference last month, Ron Nehring, Cruz’s previous advisor who was his campaign spokesperson in 2016, took note.
There, Cruz presented one of the most severe critiques of his own political party: that it had permitted antisemitism to flourish amongst its members.
"In the past half year, I have detected more antisemitism on the right than I’ve ever encountered. This is a blight, and I think we are staring down an existential threat in our party and in our nation, ” Cruz said.
Sen. Ted Cruz attends a hearing on the nomination of Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, for Commandant of the Coast Guard, Nov. 19, 2025, on Capitol Hill.Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
He went on to state that some Republicans are "implicated in that transgression" by amplifying voices that harbor these poisonous viewpoints, seemingly directing a subtle jab at Tucker Carlson, who recently shared with white supremacist Nick Fuentes that he dislikes Christian Zionists "more than anyone." (Carlson has since issued an apology for those comments.)
"There are some individuals who are embraced at the highest level in government who have expressed that there is no group they hate more than Christian Zionists […] if you associate with an individual who suggests Adolf Hitler was very, very cool, and that their objective is to fight and overcome global Jew-ery, and you remain silent? Then you are a coward and an accomplice to that transgression,” Cruz said.
Nehring expressed that he observed Cruz acting deliberately — coming forward ahead of a growing issue and "genuinely demonstrating leadership."
"He is the most notable national Republican leader to comment on the risk of permitting a small contingent of 'influencers' who have either vocalized antisemitic views or have entertained those who do," Nehring relayed to ABC News.
And, while he has no awareness of any official strategies for his former superior to contend for the presidency in 2028, irrespective of rumors and speculation, he voiced that he anticipates Cruz would be a strong competitor as the disagreements within the GOP leave members desiring a unified path forward.
"Numerous individuals in the conservative movement are assessing the situation, wondering, who's going to make a statement? What's the correct course? People are honestly in search of leadership, and he's providing that, and, in essence, running for president is a parallel endeavor. You're charting the course; you're showing the way," Nehring stated.
Nehring advises examining politicians’ travel schedules and set of candidate endorsements to gather a preliminary assessment of potential aspirations as well: "presidential hopefuls work diligently to cultivate relationships in order to solidify them well in advance."
Cruz himself skirted around his White House aspirations in a recent conversation with Fox News in the midst of reports that he was mulling over another attempt after his 2016 campaign. NOTUS reports that the White House suspects Cruz is purposely positioning himself against Vice President JD Vance to prepare for a run.
Senator Ted Cruz and Senator JD Vance during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., March 2, 2023. Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
ABC News has contacted Cruz’s office to seek comment.
Cruz’s RJC comments occurred in a state of vital importance to the Republican presidential selection process: Nevada. Cruz was also slated to participate in an event in Iowa, another critical early-voting state, but had to call it off due to Senate votes.
And he has thrown his support behind a set of Republicans in races attracting national attention, for instance, backing Rep. Ashley Hinson in her Iowa Senate race, Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida’s gubernatorial contest, and is aiding New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in his reelection attempt.
Cruz was the initial Republican to announce a campaign for the White House in 2016.
Sarah Isgur, ABC News legal contributor and veteran of Republican presidential campaigns, perceives Cruz would be a tireless force.
"Underestimate Ted at your own risk," Isgur said.
"He possesses high name recognition, a devoted donor network, a significant platform that he solely manages, and an open pathway with conservatives in the party. In addition, no one outworks Ted. It’s never been verified whether he sleeps at all,” said Isgur, who previously worked as the political director for Cruz’s PAC.
That "significant platform" is his booming podcast, "The Verdict," with a listenership that appears more extensive than other politician-hosted programs. His show is ranked at No. 45 on Apple’s news podcast listings, the sole politician-led show to break into the top 200. Upon its initial launch, associated with President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in 2020, the podcast rapidly ascended to No. 1 on the iTunes charts, according to Politico.
Cruz may encounter difficulties due to several controversies he has been associated with, including his questioning of the 2020 election outcomes and his 2021 journey to Cancun, Mexico, while Texas suffered through a historical storm.
Regardless, Cruz “really is skilled at manipulating the internet’s buttons,” said Kyle Tharp, author of the "Chaotic Era" newsletter that examines media and politics.
Tharp stated he sees the Texas senator as one of the "original influencer politicians."
“He’s extremely knowledgeable at utilizing social media to broadcast his message, he’s unafraid to defy his party’s accepted principles on numerous issues. That has alienated him from many in Washington, and I believe listeners appreciate that authenticity," Tharp said.
If there is reality to Cruz’s revived presidential ambitions, his wide-ranging audience is an invaluable asset, accumulating favors with elected officials by featuring them on his program, and enhancing his influence, Tharp explained.
His podcast may also serve as a testing ground for his manner of speaking, specifically as the GOP divisions surrounding global internationalism continue to expand and conservative commentators such as Carlson and Candace Owens gain traction.
“As the Candace’s and Tuckers begin to dominate the conservative movement, where does that place Ted Cruz? Does that afford him a more prominent platform as a distinct voice, or does he get eclipsed?,” Tharp said.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
