Ted Cruz weighs in on Donald Trump mocking disabled reporter
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz weighed in on Donald Trump's treatment of a disabled reporter for the first time on Tuesday.
Cruz, who overcame Trump in the Iowa caucuses, suggested that the controversy raised questions about the billionaire's character, telling an audience in Windham, New Hampshire, "One of the greatest tests of character is how do you treat people you don't have to be nice to."
Towards the end of the town hall, Ben Spangenberg of Peterborough raised his hand, and the senator approached. "Donald Trump seems to be going after reporters with disabilities," began Spangenberg, who has Spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. "Do you think that is something a presidential candidate or a president should be doing?"
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He was referring to Trump mocking and imitating New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski's physical handicap last November. Kovaleski has a condition called arthrogryposis which limits the movement of his arms.
"Well listen," Cruz started before pausing for a few seconds. "I'm a big believer you convey a lot about your character in how you conduct yourself. How you treat others."
He elaborated, "One of the greatest tests of character is how do you treat people you don't have to be nice to. Listen, everyone knows how to kiss up, everyone knows how to kiss up to their boss, to whoever has direct control over their lives. But how do you treat the clerk at the convenience store? How do you treat the cab driver? How do you treat people who you don't have to be nice to? There's no meaningful consequence in your life. That shows a lot about your character."
Without directly criticizing Trump, Cruz concluded, "Every candidate has to chose how they conduct their campaign." The candidate also alluded to the attacks that Trump had been leveling towards him of late joking, "Every morning I pick up the phone and look at my iPhone to see whatever the latest insult is from Donald. And I give him credit, the guy has some creative insults, they are a lot of mornings I wake up cracking up laughing and go 'that's pretty good.'"
Afterwards, Spangenberg told CBS News that he came away impressed by Cruz's answer. "I was happy he was bringing maturity to the situation." As for his reaction to Trump, he said, "I don't think it should be something a presidential candidate should be saying."