Ted Cruz knifed Donald Trump — and launched his 2020 campaign for president

When Donald Trump fails the Republican party, Ted Cruz will be waiting with open arms

Ted Cruz is likely gearing up to run for president again.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Last night in Cleveland, Ted Cruz launched his 2020 campaign for president by knifing the 2016 nominee in the chest live on national television.

It was brilliantly done — congratulating Donald Trump by name for his victory right at the start, then delivering a powerful, moving speech that united his own favorite themes with many of the most potent populist issues that Trump has used to fire up his followers, and finally withholding an endorsement while instead urging viewers to "vote your conscience" in November. As Cruz struggled to complete his remarks over the outraged boos of the crowd, you could almost see it in his eyes: "Yes, I did. You'll thank me later."

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Damon Linker

Damon Linker is a senior correspondent at TheWeek.com. He is also a former contributing editor at The New Republic and the author of The Theocons and The Religious Test.