As the field narrowed , Cruz 's position in the race strengthened , owing to his debate performances and strong field infrastructure . He won the Iowa Caucuses in February , the first contest of the race . But as the field narrowed and less-viable candidates dropped out , Republican support concentrated around Trump rather than Cruz . Trump beat Cruz handily on Super Tuesday and in most subsequent primaries . At this point , with the race essentially narrowed to one between Cruz and Trump , the two candidates began to openly criticize each other ( whereas they had previously been notably cordial ) . Trump repeatedly called Cruz " Lyin ' Ted " and on one occasion retweeted a deprecating tweet regarding the physical appearance of Cruz 's wife . Trump also parroted a story in the '' National Enquirer '' claiming that Cruz 's father , Rafael Cruz , was involved in the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy . Cruz called Trump a chronic liar , " completely amoral " , and questioned whether he was a genuine conservative
Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Ted Cruz 2016 presidential campaign