CNN
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Republican Sen. Ted Cruz refused on Wednesday to say whether or not he’ll unconditionally settle for the outcomes of the 2024 election, the newest in a sequence of feedback by distinguished Republicans that search to solid doubt on the legitimacy of the upcoming presidential contest.
“I feel that’s really a ridiculous query,” replied Cruz when requested by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “The Supply” whether or not he’ll settle for the outcomes of the 2024 election no matter who wins.
“So that you’re asking, ‘Will you promise, it doesn’t matter what, to agree an election is reputable no matter what occurs?,’ and that will be an absurd factor to assert. Like, we’ve got a complete election regulation system: that individuals problem elections, elections get overturned, voter fraud will get confirmed. That occurs on a regular basis,” Cruz mentioned.
Cruz, who objected to Arizona’s election outcomes on January 6, 2021, then went on in his interview with Collins to recommend, baselessly, that the 2020 election was rife with fraud.
“So my query for you once more, free and truthful election, will you settle for the outcomes no matter who wins?” Collins requested.
“If the Democrats win, I’ll settle for the consequence, however I’m not going to disregard fraud no matter what occurs,” Cruz responded.
Many distinguished Republicans, beginning with the celebration’s presumptive presidential nominee, Donald Trump, are already casting doubt on the ends in November. Trump mentioned earlier this month that he would only accept the 2024 election outcomes “if every part’s trustworthy.” Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York and Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, each thought of potential Trump working mates, each mentioned they would not have certified the 2020 election outcomes had they been Trump’s vice chairman, whereas South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott has refused to say whether or not he would have licensed the outcomes as vice chairman.
Former Housing and City Improvement Secretary Ben Carson, whom Trump mentioned as a potential working mate on Thursday, mentioned on CNN the identical evening, “I’ll settle for the outcomes if it’s executed in a good and clear means.” Carson additionally raised doubts about widespread mail-in voting on “Laura Coates Dwell.”
Additionally on CNN Thursday evening, GOP Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who has additionally been talked about as a potential Trump vice presidential contender, was requested if he’d settle for the outcomes if Trump loses. “If the states and localities really observe the foundations and procedures and everyone sees the foundations adopted, then after all, you settle for what’s executed,” Donalds instructed CNN’s Abby Phillip.
On Wednesday, Cruz additionally defended conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who has been scrutinized over conspicuous flag shows at two of his properties in recent times, telling Collins, “this complete hoopla is drastically overstated.”
“I feel there’s a concerted effort that’s pushed by Democrats within the Senate to attempt to delegitimize the court docket and to attempt to demonize. We’re seeing it with Justice Clarence Thomas. We’re seeing it with Justice Sam Alito. I feel the entire thing is disgraceful,” Cruz mentioned.
Cruz reiterated Alito’s explanation that Alito’s spouse hoisted the image of discontent in response to profane indicators within the neighborhood, together with a neighbor posting an indication saying “F**okay Trump” close to a faculty bus cease after which an indication attacking his spouse, Martha-Ann Alito.
“Pay attention, there are justices I disagree with, and but, it is best to deal with everybody with civility and respect, and what Justice Alito mentioned is, his spouse was upset,” Cruz mentioned.
This story has been up to date with further info.