Photo credit: Dave Davidson (Prezography.com)
Donald Trump in response to a Super PAC Facebook ad targeting Mormons in Utah (that featured a nude photo of Malania Trump taken during a GQ photo shoot) sent out a tweet threatening to target Heidi Cruz.
He said, “Lyin’ Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin’ Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!”
Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2016
First I have no idea what “beans” he could possibly spill on Heidi Cruz that his followers haven’t already shared on social media, they have been attacking her for months.
Second, I think the Facebook ad of Malania was in poor taste. Let’s keep wives out of this. However, if someone wanted to do opp research on this all they have to do is Google it. The picture is all over the internet.
Third, the ad was from a new Super PAC, Make America Awesome, run by Liz Mair, a Republican social media strategist, whose other news item this cycle was resigning from Scott Walker’s campaign after an ill-advised tweet. This was not from Ted Cruz’s campaign, and this is not a Super PAC that has been affiliated with Ted Cruz. Its stated purpose is to fight Donald Trump.
Liz Mair, a Republican strategist whose anti-Trump super PAC Make America Awesome launched the Facebook campaign last week, said each ad is expected to reach around 10,000 Mormons of voting age a day. The goal is twofold: increase turnout among LDS voters, and urge them to strategically consolidate around Ted Cruz, who is close to the 50% winner-take-all threshold in Utah.
The group is running three ads: one that features Mitt Romney, one that emphasizes Trump’s past support for pro-choice policies, and a third that shows Melania Trump posing nude. The Melania ad, which is by far the most provocative, invites viewers to meet “your next first lady.” Mair said that one is being promoted on Instagram as well, but only to LDS women.
Cruz responded to Trump on Twitter said, “Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you’re more of a coward than I thought. #classless.”
Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought. #classless https://t.co/0QpKSnjgnE
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 23, 2016
Update 3/24/16: Trump strikes again… He retweets a photo meant to make fun of Heidi Cruz’s looks.
"@Don_Vito_08: "A picture is worth a thousand words" @realDonaldTrump #LyingTed #NeverCruz @MELANIATRUMP pic.twitter.com/5bvVEwMVF8"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 24, 2016
To which Ted Cruz had the perfect response:
Donald, real men don't attack women. Your wife is lovely, and Heidi is the love of my life. https://t.co/pprXhIMzUT
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 24, 2016