Trump Praises ‘Good Friend’ Ted Cruz When Asked About 2028 Run: ‘Talented Guy’

President Donald Trump praised his “very good friend” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) when asked about a potential 2028 run by the Texas Republican he once had a thorny relationship with.

Trump took questions from reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday after signing an order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” amid the ongoing trade war with Canada.

When asked about Cruz “teasing” a 2028 presidential run, Trump said he thought his “very good friend” might do “good” if he runs.

“I would say that he’s very talented. He’s a very good friend of mine. I think he might do good, yeah. He’s a talented guy,” the president said.

Trump and Cruz previously ran against each other for the 2016 Republican nomination and things got plenty heated, which included Trump even taking public jabs at Cruz’s wife.

During an interview with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on the LT. DAN podcast this week, Cruz said it’s “no secret” he wants to be president.

He said “time will tell” on whether he runs again.

Speaking with MS NOW’s Ali Vitali this week, Cruz also said the party has not decided or backed any one candidate, like Vice President JD Vance, just yet.

“There is going to be a full discussion about who we are and what we believe,” he said, adding, “I’ll certainly be part of the discussion.”

Trump has not publicly backed anyone for 2028, but he’s been complimentary of Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio when discussing potential runs from the rumored candidates.

The president said earlier this month that Vance is the “most likely” successor to take over his MAGA movement. He also floated a scenario where Vance and Rubio “get together,” but warned it’s “too early” for such talks.

“I think most likely, in all fairness, he’s the vice president,” Trump said. “And I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form. I also think we have incredible people — some of the people on the stage right here.”

Watch above via Fox News.

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