So much for magnanimous Trump. In a return to form, Trump is now accusing Ted Cruz of stealing the Iowa caucus and calling for a nullification of the election results, citing voter fraud.
The blustery billionaire and surprise Republican presidential frontrunner finished a disappointing second in the Iowa caucuses Monday night and after delivering an uncharacteristically subdued non-concession speech, Trump’s finally unleashed the sore loser tantrum America’s been expecting.
Trump is now undermining the legitimacy of Cruz’s win on Monday, tweeting that the Texas senator “stole” the election, as evidenced by pre-caucus polling that predicted a Trump win:
Ted Cruz didn't win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
Despite receiving previously unheard of headlines noting his “gracious” tone in defeat, Trump complained that the media had unfairly covered his historic second place finish before really setting his aim on Cruz:
The media has not covered my long-shot great finish in Iowa fairly. Brought in record voters and got second highest vote total in history!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016
Anybody who watched all of Ted Cruz's far too long, rambling, overly flamboyant speech last nite would say that was his Howard Dean moment!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2016
Trump then rallied to the defense of rival Ben Carson in order to provide further “proof “of Cruz’s nefarious politicking. On Tuesday, the Cruz campaign apologized for what Carson called “dirty tricks” during Monday night’s caucusing when the Cruz campaign told precinct staffers that Carson had dropped out of the race:
During primetime of the Iowa Caucus, Cruz put out a release that @RealBenCarson was quitting the race, and to caucus (or vote) for Cruz.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
Trump also cited Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate’s condemnation of a Cruz campaign mailer accusing some Iowans of a “voting violation” in an effort to scare voters into participating in the caucuses:
Many people voted for Cruz over Carson because of this Cruz fraud. Also, Cruz sent out a VOTER VIOLATION certificate to thousands of voters.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
The Voter Violation certificate gave poor marks to the unsuspecting voter(grade of F) and told them to clear it up by voting for Cruz. Fraud
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016
