What was supposed to be a big night for Donald Trump’s vice presidential nominee ended up being a major media story about defeated primary candidate Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
For the nation’s leading newsrooms, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s address at the Republican National Convention Wednesday evening took a back seat to Cruz’s refusal to endorse the GOP nominee.
Mentions of Cruz’s so-called convention “snub” has dominated all television coverage of the third night of the GOP convention, easily eclipsing Pence’s big moment, according to data provided by TV Eyes.
For print media, it was much of the same. The front pages of the most-circulated newspapers in the United States focused Thursday on Cruz’s non-endorsement, and Pence’s convention moment was included only as an afterthought or additional detail to the “snub” story.
“Attempt at unity falls short,” read the Washington Post’s front page, which included a photo of Cruz placed atop a separate picture of Pence.
The Chicago Tribune’s front page read, “Booed Cruz upstages Pence.”
The New York Times featured a large picture of Cruz at the convention, as well as a front-page report titled, “Cruz stirs convention fury in pointed snub of Trump.”
“GOP split as Cruz snubs Trump,” the Wall Street Journal declared.
Pence appeared at the GOP convention in Cleveland Wednesday evening to accept his spot as Trump’s running mate, and to deliver his first major address of the 2016 campaign.
But Cruz, whose final days in the GOP primary campaign were marked by bitter and harsh criticisms for Trump, became the star of the night after he encouraged convention-goers to back the candidate most likely to protect and respect the Constitution. The senator also told attendees to vote their conscience.
“And to those listening, please, don’t stay home in November. If you love your country and you love your children as much as I know that you do, stand and speak, and vote your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution,” he said.
Cruz did not, however, offer an explicit endorsement for the man who attacked both his wife and father during the GOP primary.
The convention crowd quickly turned on the senator, and a deafening chorus of boos broke out in the hall as it became clear he would withhold his endorsement.
Cruz ended his speech and exited the stage, followed by loud jeers and angry shouting. And for the press, that was the story of the evening.
