CNN
—
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz on Wednesday declined to say whether he would accept the 2024 election results unconditionally. This is the latest in a series of statements by leading Republicans seeking to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the upcoming presidential election.
“I think that’s a really stupid question,” Cruz said when asked by CNN’s Kaitlyn Collins on “The Source” whether he would accept the results of the 2024 election no matter who wins.
“So we’re asking, ‘Do you promise to recognize the election as legitimate no matter what happens?’ That’s a ridiculous claim. We have an election law system, and the people The election is challenged, the election results are overturned, and voter fraud is proven. That happens all the time,” Cruz said.
Mr. Cruz, who challenged Arizona’s election results on January 6, 2021, later baselessly suggested in an interview with Mr. Collins that there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election.
“If the Democrats win, I will accept the outcome, but I will not ignore the fraud no matter what happens,” Cruz said.
A number of prominent Republicans have already cast doubt on November’s results, including Donald Trump, the party’s presumptive presidential nominee. President Trump said earlier this month that he would only accept the 2024 election results “if everything is honest.” Representative Elise Stefanik of New York and Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, who are considered Trump’s running mate, both said they would not have certified the 2020 election results if they had been Trump’s vice president. However, Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina has refused. I asked if he would recognize his accomplishments as his vice president.
Mr. Cruz also defended conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who has come under scrutiny in recent years for displaying flags prominently at two of his homes, telling Mr. Collins, “This whole thing is highly exaggerated.” he said.
“I think there’s a concerted effort by Senate Democrats to delegitimize and demonize the court. We’re seeing it with Justice Clarence Thomas. We’re seeing it with Justice Sam Alito. I think the whole thing is a disgrace,” Cruz said.
Cruz repeated Alito’s explanation that his wife had put up the symbol of her displeasure in response to profane signs in the neighborhood, including a sign near a school bus stop that read “Fuck Trump” and then a sign attacking his wife, Martha, Anne Alito.
“Listen, I don’t agree with some justices, but you should treat everyone with civility and respect. What Justice Alito said is that his wife is upset.” said Mr. Cruz.
