GOP front-runner Donald Trump (Photo: Twitter)
Ted Cruz suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination Tuesday after front-runner Donald Trump crushed the Texas senator in the Indiana primary and essentially locked up the Republican Party nomination.
Trump won all 57 of the state's delegates, prompting Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee to call him the "presumptive GOP nominee."
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Priebus tweeted: "@realDonaldTrump will be presumptive @GOP nominee, we all need to unite and focus on defeating @HillaryClinton #NeverClinton."
"We gave it all we got. But the voters chose another path," Cruz said in his farewell speech. "We are suspending our campaign. But hear me now I am not suspending our fight for liberty."
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Watch Cruz's full speech announcing his campaign suspension:
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Also in Indiana, Democrat Bernie Sanders won his race against front-runner Hillary Clinton.
In Trump's victory speech Tuesday, he celebrated what he called a "tremendous victory."
"It's been an unbelievable day and evening and year," he said. "It's a beautiful thing to watch and a beautiful thing to behold. And we're going to make America great again."
Trump continued, "I have to tell you that I've competed all my life. I'm a competitive person. All my life I've been in competitions. … I have to tell you that I have met some of the most incredible competitors that I have ever competed against right here in the Republican Party."
What do YOU think? Can anything stop Trump now? Sound off in today's WND poll!
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He called Cruz "one hell of a competitor."
"He's one tough, smart guy," Trump said. "And he's got an amazing future. I want to congratulate Ted. I had moments that were not looking so good, and it's not a good feeling. So I understand how Ted feels."
Sen. Ted Cruz suspends his campaign for president on May 3, 2016 (Photo: Twitter)
Trump had predicted the Midwestern state would officially end any challenge rival Cruz posed in the race for the GOP nomination. Cruz and Kasich had been working to deny Trump delegates he needs to secure the nomination before the July convention.
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"If we win Indiana, it's over," Trump told supporters at a Monday rally in Carmel, Indiana. "They're finished. They're gone."
What do YOU think? Can anything stop Trump now? Sound off in today's WND poll!
Trump rode a wave of momentum after his five-state sweep in the Northeast last week.
Drudge Report announcement of Cruz campaign suspension on May 3, 2016
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As WND reported, the animosity between Trump and Cruz had reached a fever pitch Tuesday after the GOP front-runner cited an unsubstantiated National Enquirer story claiming Cruz's father was linked to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The tabloid magazine claimed Rafael Cruz was photographed standing beside Lee Harvey Oswald three months before Kennedy was shot and killed.
Trump gave the story an extra boost on national television when he called into Fox News Tuesday and said: "[Cruz's] father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being – you know, shot. I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous. What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it. I mean, what was he doing – what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death? Before the shooting? It's horrible.”
Cruz responded to Trump's "kooky" attack, calling the GOP front-runner a “pathological liar,” an “utterly amoral bully” and a “narcissist” who essentially makes President Obama look like an amateur by comparison.
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Cruz told reporters Tuesday morning at a campaign stop in Evansville, Indiana, with his wife Heidi and running mate Carly Fiorina by his side, that Trump "went on national television and attacked my father."
"Let's be clear, this is nuts. This is not a reasonable position. This is just kooky," he said. "And while I'm at it, I guess I should go ahead and admit, 'Yes, my dad killed JFK, he is secretly Elvis, and Jimmy Hoffa is buried in his backyard.'"
On Tuesday evening, Trump tweeted, "Wow, Lyin' Ted Cruz really went wacko today. Made all sorts of crazy charges. Can't function under pressure – not very presidential. Sad!"
Just hours before Cruz suspended his campaign, Trump also tweeted, "Lyin' Ted Cruz consistently said that he will, and must, win Indiana. If he doesn't he should drop out of the race-stop wasting time & money."
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GOP front-runner Donald Trump and Democrat front-runner Hillary Clinton (Photo: Twitter)
According to exit polls published Tuesday by ABC News:
- 53 percent of Republican voters said they felt "betrayed" by the Republican Party
- 57 percent said the 2016 campaign has divided the party instead of energizing it
- 34 percent said they were "angry" and 50 percent said they were "dissatisfied" with the federal government
- 39 percent said the economy/jobs is the top issue facing the nation, and 28 percent said the top issue is government spending
The next primaries will take place in Nebraska and West Virginia on May 10.
Results will be updated below as they come in.
Indiana Republican Primary
57 delegates
With 99 percent reporting:
Trump: 53.3 percent
Cruz: 36.7 percent
Kasich: 7.5 percent
Indiana Democrat Primary
83 delegates
With 99 percent reporting:
Sanders: 52.7 percent
Clinton: 47.3 percent
