Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined a growing chorus of Republicans disavowing lewd comments Donald Trump made about women in 2005, calling the remarks “disturbing and inappropriate.”
“These comments are disturbing and inappropriate, there is simply no excuse for them,” he said on Twitter. “Every wife, mother, daughter — every person — deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
{mosads}The Washington Post published audio of the businessman making explicit comments about trying to have sex with women, which were caught on a hot mic in 2005. Trump issued a half-apology, saying the comments were private “locker-room banter” and “I apologize if anyone was offended.”
A growing number of Cruz’s congressional colleagues — including Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — have denounced Trump’s remarks.
The controversy comes only weeks after Cruz reversed course and threw his support behind Trump. The Texas Republican had refused to do so months for months after a bitter primary battle that included Trump insulting Cruz’s wife.
“A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment,” Cruz wrote in late September. “And if you don’t want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him.”
Cruz had faced political backlash after refusing to endorse Trump during a speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in July, including stirring talk of a tough primary challenge from Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).
But Trump has been stuck in a string of setbacks in recent weeks, including a damaging feud with former Miss Universe Alicia Machado and a first presidential debate performance that drew lackluster reviews.