President Donald Trump is weighing in on a potential 2028 presidential run by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, praising his former Republican primary rival as a “very talented guy.”
Trump was asked by a reporter Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Oval Office, what he thought about the Texas Republican potentially making another run for the White House.
“I would say that he's very talented; he's a very good friend of mine,” Trump said. “I think he might do that. Yeah, he's a very talented guy.”
Cruz, who finished second to Trump in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, has recently fueled speculation that he could make another bid for the White House.
“It’s no secret that I want to be president,” Cruz said during an appearance on Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s podcast
Wednesday, according to the Texas Tribune.
When Patrick directly asked Cruz whether he planned to run in 2028, Cruz stopped short of announcing a campaign.
“Time will tell,” Cruz said.
Patrick also suggested Texas Gov. Greg Abbott may be interested in a 2028 presidential run. However, Abbott's campaign press secretary, Eduardo Leal, told the Texas Tribune that it was not the case.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump praises Ted Cruz amid 2028 presidential speculation
