Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump on Sunday described Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s endorsement of Ted Cruz as “the weakest endorsement anyone has seen in a long time.”
“If you really take a look at Mike Pence, I think he gave me more of an endorsement than Ted Cruz,” Trump told Fox News’ Chris Wallace.
“His donors and special interests obviously made him give an endorsement,” the billionaire added.
Pence, who’s up for re-election in the Hoosier State this year, endorsed Cruz last Friday, following weeks of pressure from anti-Trump conservatives who pressed Pence to denounce the businessman ahead of Indiana’s May 3 primary.
But instead of criticizing Trump, the former Indiana congressman praised the leading GOP candidate for discussing economic issues on the campaign trail, while simultaneously offering a lukewarm endorsement of Cruz.
“I’m not against anybody, but I will be voting for Ted Cruz in the Republican primary,” Pence told Indiana-based radio host Greg Garrison.
Trump, who polls show leading in Indiana said he is set to win Indiana and the GOP nomination despite Pence’s annoucement.
“It’s over. I think it’s over now. Cruz cannot win,” Trump said on Sunday. “I’m leading him by millions and millions of votes, and I’m leaving him by 400 delegates. He cannot win.”
Trump led Cruz 49 to 34 percent in the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist survey of Indiana Republicans released Sunday.
