The senator formerly known as "Lyin' Ted" now has President Trump's "complete and total endorsement."
Trump threw his explicit support behind former presidential rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in a Friday tweet, promising to throw a "major rally" for Cruz in October in "the biggest stadium in Texas we can find." While Trump's support could just be an implicit apology for insinuating Cruz's father had something to do with former President John F. Kennedy's murder, it also could indicate Cruz's Senate fight is getting fiercer than anticipated.
The first-term senator is up for re-election this fall and was originally expected to dominate any Democratic opponent. But Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) has turned into an unlikely star, polling just 6 points behind Cruz in a recent Quinnipiac poll.
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After Trump's tweet, politicos were quick to suggest a last-minute rally wasn't good news for Cruz's campaign. If a Republican senator still needs a boost in October, it could mean a Democratic tide is creeping up on one of the nation's most reliably red states.
The "biggest stadium" promise is probably Trump's most crushing blow, seeing as ex-punk rocker O'Rourke was only able to book gigs on local TV.
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