Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised President Donald Trump's military actions in Iran during a Tuesday interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box," calling it "exactly the right decision" — just weeks after expressing concerns about an Iran deal on social media and criticizing Trump's nearly $1.8 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund."
Cruz's Change in Tone
"Listen, I think the president's leadership on Iran has been extraordinary," the Texas senator began, before co-host Andrew Ross Sorkin interjected. "You were very critical of him just two weeks ago, though," Sorkin said.
"Well, no, I wasn't," Cruz replied. "I was critical of voices around him, and there's a difference there. I think Donald Trump has been clear-eyed from the very beginning. His decision to launch this military attack [against Iran] is the most consequential decision of his second term, and I think it was exactly the right decision."
Trump's Negotiation Strategy
Cruz claimed he spoke with Trump a few days ago and urged him to "hold the line" and "don't take a bad deal" amid the president's fluctuating negotiations with Iran. When asked to identify the people around Trump he was criticizing, Cruz declined to specify.
"Look, there were multiple voices and everyone is leaking and calling reporters — and by the way, it's not just voices of the administration," he said. "You have the Iranians who are leaking — you have all these people who are pushing disinformation."
Past Criticisms of Trump
Cruz, reportedly laying groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid, has previously criticized Trump. According to a secret recording obtained by Axios, Cruz blasted Trump and Vice President JD Vance over tariff policies during private meetings with donors last year. In the audio, Cruz warned Trump would face a "bloodbath" in the November midterm elections if prices continued to rise, and claimed Trump responded with an expletive.
