Donor reveals Ted Cruz thinks he can win the presidency — this time with Newsmax’s backing

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) may have only run for president once, but he knows how to win in 2028: with the help of Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy.

The Daily Mail reported that Cruz told donors the conservative network honcho would use his power to make Cruz the GOP nominee if he runs in 2028.

"I attended a Ted Cruz fundraiser late last year and during the fundraiser Senator Cruz mentioned that Chris Ruddy would be using Newsmax to support his candidacy when and if he runs for the Republican primary, which is expected," said a Cruz donor when speaking to the Daily Mail.

Cruz's spokesperson Macarena Martinez disputed the claim, however, attacking the site and the media as a whole.

"Once again, anonymous sources are putting words in Senator Cruz's mouth to further their own agendas. These are obvious lies, but the media once again shows that they are ready and eager to be spun up and used at every opportunity," Martinez said. "Journalists used to know how to do their jobs. Those days are clearly far behind us."

When the Daily Mail told the donor what the spokesperson had said, the donor replied, "I guess they don't call him 'Lying Ted' for nothing."

Cruz is bringing Ruddy to a hearing to speak out against a merger between Nextstar and NewsNation. Former Reuters reporter Matthew Keys, who now runs "The Desk," noted on Tuesday that the National Association of Broadcasters CEO Curtis LeGeyt and Ruddy will be on hand as witnesses. LeGeyt wants the 39 percent cap loosened. That "cap" is the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) rule that blocks any broadcasters from owning stations that reach more than 39 percent of homes in the U.S.

Ruddy says the FCC can't act without congressional authorization.

Keys wrote on Friday, "Newxmax vs. NAB is really Newsmax vs. NewsNation. Follow the Nexstar lobbying money."

When asked by the Daily Mail about whether the rumors were true, Ruddy sent a statement through a spokesperson.

"I am looking forward to joining with Chairman Cruz and the other Senators on the committee to have an open and frank discussion about the dangers of media consolidation in the television broadcast industry," Ruddy said.

Ruddy opposes media consolidation, but Trump supports the merger, believing conservative media consolidation is better than liberal media consolidation.

"We need more competition against THE ENEMY, the Fake News National TV Networks. Letting Good Deals get done like Nexstar - Tegna will help knock out the Fake News because there will be more competition, and at a higher and more sophisticated level," Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday.