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Trump’s Revenge: A Super PAC to Take on GOP Rivals

Cruz, Kasich and unnamed 3rd Republican could be targets

Donald Trump talked to NBC in a post-convention interview. (Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)
Donald Trump talked to NBC in a post-convention interview. (Photo By Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is confirming that he’s plotting to use a Super PAC to go after former GOP rivals Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, who have declined to endorse him.  

“Well, it’s not the number one thing on my mind. Look, what’s on my mind is beating Hillary Clinton. What’s on my mind is winning for the Republican Party,” Trump said in an interview aired on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” on Sunday. “With that being said, yeah, I’ll probably do a super PAC, you know, when they run against Kasich, for $10 million to $20 million, against Ted Cruz. And maybe one other person that I’m thinking about.”  

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The Five Stages of Cruz and Trump

]  

Trump did not identify the third target, stating that he did not want to raise the profile of the individual in question.  

“I mean, he’s actually such a small person, I hate to give him the publicity. But yes, I will probably do that at the appropriate at time,” Trump said.  

A good guess there might be Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who has been outspoken against Trump’s policy positions and statements dismissing the heroism of fellow Arizona Sen. John McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam.  

Flake has previously confirmed that he confronted Trump during a closed-door meeting of Republican senators and Trump indicated he wanted to see Flake defeated this year. Flake is, in fact, not currently up for re-election.  

Cruz, Trump’s toughest competitor in the primary season, angered Trump last week when he refused to endorse the nominee during a prime-time speech at the convention. Kasich declined to attend the convention at all, even though it was held in his home state.   

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Cruz: I’m Not Trump’s Servile Puppy Dog

]  

Trump was asked about a variety of other issues, including if the GOP nominee would potentially back a Democrat former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke in his Louisiana Senate race.  

“I guess, depending on who the Democrat, but the answer would be yes. Look, the answer is, as quick as you can say it. In fact, I went to answer you before you [finished] … last time with another person in this position, I did it very quickly. And they said, ‘He didn’t do it fast enough,'” Trump said. “Rebuked. Is that okay? Rebuked, done.”  

Duke announced his candidacy for the Senate on Friday, claiming credit for several pillars of the “America First” agenda that helped propel Trump to the Republican presidential nomination.  


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