This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/mar/22/trump-clinton-sanders-arizona-utah-idaho-results-live-updates
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 10 | Version 11 |
|---|---|
| Trump and Clinton win Arizona, but rivals take other western states – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.01am GMT | |
| 07:01 | |
| What we learned in Arizona, Utah and Idaho | |
| Sam Levin | |
| The results are in for Arizona, Utah and Idaho after a long night of elections in the west. Frontrunners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton won key victories in the Arizona primary, bringing them both closer to the general election fight. But challengers Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders scored notable caucus wins in Utah, and the Vermont senator also nabbed a victory in the Idaho Democratic caucus (the GOP caucus, which happened at an earlier date, went to Cruz). | |
| Here’s what we learned: | |
| Updated | |
| at 7.03am GMT | |
| 6.53am GMT | |
| 06:53 | |
| After remaining largely silent on their tough losses in Arizona, Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz are celebrating their late-night wins in Utah – and in Idaho for the Vermont senator. | |
| Sanders said in a statement: | |
| I am enormously grateful to the people of Utah and Idaho for the tremendous voter turnouts that gave us victories with extremely large margins. The impressive numbers of young people and working-class people who participated in the process are exactly what the political revolution is all about. These decisive victories in Idaho and Utah give me confidence that we will continue to win major victories in the coming contests. | |
| And Cruz used the Utah victory as a fundraising opportunity: | |
| Thank you Utah! Help us #CruzToVictory by contributing today -----> https://t.co/vnxEiO07d8 https://t.co/8MQvCjJYKu | |
| 6.42am GMT | 6.42am GMT |
| 06:42 | 06:42 |
| The AP also reports that Ted Cruz is on track to win 50% of the vote in Utah, which would earn him all 40 delegates in the state – a significant blow to Donald Trump as the two head toward a contested convention. | The AP also reports that Ted Cruz is on track to win 50% of the vote in Utah, which would earn him all 40 delegates in the state – a significant blow to Donald Trump as the two head toward a contested convention. |
| Ted Cruz on pace to win 50 percent of the vote and sweep Utah's 40 Republican delegates. https://t.co/cr9uEyPUgN pic.twitter.com/grhN9nvG8C | Ted Cruz on pace to win 50 percent of the vote and sweep Utah's 40 Republican delegates. https://t.co/cr9uEyPUgN pic.twitter.com/grhN9nvG8C |
| 6.35am GMT | 6.35am GMT |
| 06:35 | 06:35 |
| Ted Cruz beats Donald Trump in Utah | Ted Cruz beats Donald Trump in Utah |
| Sam Levin | Sam Levin |
| Ted Cruz won a much-needed victory against Donald Trump in the Utah caucus, the AP reports. | Ted Cruz won a much-needed victory against Donald Trump in the Utah caucus, the AP reports. |
| After an expected loss against the real estate billionaire in the high-stakes Arizona primary, the Utah win for Cruz offers the Texas Senator a victory that can help keep his campaign alive as the GOP race inches closer to a contested convention. | After an expected loss against the real estate billionaire in the high-stakes Arizona primary, the Utah win for Cruz offers the Texas Senator a victory that can help keep his campaign alive as the GOP race inches closer to a contested convention. |
| There’s little doubt that the powerful Mormon vote in Utah played a big role in securing a win for Cruz here – in large part because many religious voters have expressed distaste for Trump’s vulgar style and bombastic statements on immigration. | There’s little doubt that the powerful Mormon vote in Utah played a big role in securing a win for Cruz here – in large part because many religious voters have expressed distaste for Trump’s vulgar style and bombastic statements on immigration. |
| The win for Cruz also signals big problems for Trump in the general election if he ultimately wins the nomination. Recent polls have shown that Utahns dislike Trump to such a great degree that the state could actually go blue in November – something that hasn’t happened in half a century. Both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton would beat Trump in the general election, according to one poll. | The win for Cruz also signals big problems for Trump in the general election if he ultimately wins the nomination. Recent polls have shown that Utahns dislike Trump to such a great degree that the state could actually go blue in November – something that hasn’t happened in half a century. Both Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton would beat Trump in the general election, according to one poll. |
| Pundits say it could be very tough for a Republican presidential candidate to win the White House without the previously reliable red state of Utah. | Pundits say it could be very tough for a Republican presidential candidate to win the White House without the previously reliable red state of Utah. |
| At a Salt Lake City caucus site on Tuesday, Perri Flory, a 60-year-old retired police officer, criticized Mormons for backing Cruz, but said she was confident that Trump, her favorite candidate, would not be blocked from the nomination. Flory said she was thrilled to finally have a candidate speaking the truth on immigration: “Everyone who comes here should become a US citizen, and if you break the law, you need to pay for it.” | At a Salt Lake City caucus site on Tuesday, Perri Flory, a 60-year-old retired police officer, criticized Mormons for backing Cruz, but said she was confident that Trump, her favorite candidate, would not be blocked from the nomination. Flory said she was thrilled to finally have a candidate speaking the truth on immigration: “Everyone who comes here should become a US citizen, and if you break the law, you need to pay for it.” |
| She added: “The Mormon state is not going to stop Trump.” | She added: “The Mormon state is not going to stop Trump.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 6.38am GMT | at 6.38am GMT |
| 6.32am GMT | 6.32am GMT |
| 06:32 | 06:32 |
| Bernie Sanders wins Idaho | Bernie Sanders wins Idaho |
| Jason Wilson | Jason Wilson |
| Bernie Sanders has won a resounding victory in Idaho tonight, as voters attended the Democrats’ open caucuses in record numbers. | Bernie Sanders has won a resounding victory in Idaho tonight, as voters attended the Democrats’ open caucuses in record numbers. |
| BREAKING: Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic caucuses in Idaho. @AP race call at 2:26 a.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall | BREAKING: Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic caucuses in Idaho. @AP race call at 2:26 a.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall |
| Sanders could claim most of the 23 Democratic delegates at stake. The win maintains his relative success in caucus states and those with large white majorities. | Sanders could claim most of the 23 Democratic delegates at stake. The win maintains his relative success in caucus states and those with large white majorities. |
| From the podium at the Boise Centre, Idaho Democrats claimed that it had been the biggest primary in US history, eclipsing even the landmark turnout in 2008 for current president Barack Obama. | From the podium at the Boise Centre, Idaho Democrats claimed that it had been the biggest primary in US history, eclipsing even the landmark turnout in 2008 for current president Barack Obama. |
| The biggest crowds were in Ada County, centered on the capital, Boise, where 9,115 ballots were cast in the first round – 80% of them going Sanders’s way. There’s little doubt that Sanders himself was responsible for bringing Democrats out in large numbers. In the long queues waiting to enter the caucus venues, there were many first time voters, and many young people who had been energised by the Sanders campaign. | The biggest crowds were in Ada County, centered on the capital, Boise, where 9,115 ballots were cast in the first round – 80% of them going Sanders’s way. There’s little doubt that Sanders himself was responsible for bringing Democrats out in large numbers. In the long queues waiting to enter the caucus venues, there were many first time voters, and many young people who had been energised by the Sanders campaign. |
| A young supporter, Jeff, attending his first caucus, said Sanders’ “integrity, his passions, his motivations make you want to get involved in the process.” | A young supporter, Jeff, attending his first caucus, said Sanders’ “integrity, his passions, his motivations make you want to get involved in the process.” |
| Others were motivated by their fear of the Republican alternatives. | Others were motivated by their fear of the Republican alternatives. |
| 5.36am GMT | 5.36am GMT |
| 05:36 | 05:36 |
| Bernie Sanders wins Utah | Bernie Sanders wins Utah |
| Bernie Sanders has beat Hillary Clinton in Utah, the AP reports: | Bernie Sanders has beat Hillary Clinton in Utah, the AP reports: |
| BREAKING: Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic caucuses in Utah. @AP race call at 1:30 a.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall | BREAKING: Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic caucuses in Utah. @AP race call at 1:30 a.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall |
| The victory provided a nice boost to Sanders who suffered yet another loss to Clinton in Arizona earlier in the night. | The victory provided a nice boost to Sanders who suffered yet another loss to Clinton in Arizona earlier in the night. |
| Results in the Democratic caucus in Idaho – where Sanders could secure another win – are still pending. Earlier, Sanders told a large crowd in San Diego, “Unless I’m mistaken we’re going to win a couple more tonight.” | Results in the Democratic caucus in Idaho – where Sanders could secure another win – are still pending. Earlier, Sanders told a large crowd in San Diego, “Unless I’m mistaken we’re going to win a couple more tonight.” |
| 5.32am GMT | 5.32am GMT |
| 05:32 | 05:32 |
| Jason Wilson | Jason Wilson |
| The Idaho caucuses are finally winding down after a night of extraordinary turnout, according to Democratic leaders. Jason Wilson reports: | The Idaho caucuses are finally winding down after a night of extraordinary turnout, according to Democratic leaders. Jason Wilson reports: |
| In Boise, people are starting to drift out of the caucus venue, having been told that if they don’t want to change their vote, it will remain as cast. Volunteers are still counting ballots, and no announcements have been made. | In Boise, people are starting to drift out of the caucus venue, having been told that if they don’t want to change their vote, it will remain as cast. Volunteers are still counting ballots, and no announcements have been made. |
| The large turnout has led to inevitable delays - in getting in, and getting ballots counted. | The large turnout has led to inevitable delays - in getting in, and getting ballots counted. |
| Some caucus-goers have been in queues and waiting in the venue for six hours or more. Not everyone can afford that on a Tuesday night. | Some caucus-goers have been in queues and waiting in the venue for six hours or more. Not everyone can afford that on a Tuesday night. |
| Alissa Taysum, for one, had to wheel her toddler home in a stroller. But she wasn’t disappointed to leave before she knew the result. | Alissa Taysum, for one, had to wheel her toddler home in a stroller. But she wasn’t disappointed to leave before she knew the result. |
| “I’m actually really excited that this many people showed up, it’s exciting.” She was satisfied that her vote for Bernie Sanders would stick. | “I’m actually really excited that this many people showed up, it’s exciting.” She was satisfied that her vote for Bernie Sanders would stick. |
| One voter, Lisa, said she had to support the candidate with the most experience: Hillary Clinton. | One voter, Lisa, said she had to support the candidate with the most experience: Hillary Clinton. |
| “I used to live inside the Beltway. My husband used to work inside the Beltway. She understands the big picture. I don’t think he does in the same way. She could come into office and be effective immediately, on day one.” | “I used to live inside the Beltway. My husband used to work inside the Beltway. She understands the big picture. I don’t think he does in the same way. She could come into office and be effective immediately, on day one.” |
| 5.03am GMT | 5.03am GMT |
| 05:03 | 05:03 |
| The Ted Cruz campaign is trying to remain optimistic in the face of what is shaping up to be a tough loss against Donald Trump in Arizona. Here’s Jeff Roe, Cruz campaign manager: | The Ted Cruz campaign is trying to remain optimistic in the face of what is shaping up to be a tough loss against Donald Trump in Arizona. Here’s Jeff Roe, Cruz campaign manager: |
| At the risk of going full Rove here, stay tuned to AZ. We will lose but not anywhere close to current margin and watch election day vote %. | At the risk of going full Rove here, stay tuned to AZ. We will lose but not anywhere close to current margin and watch election day vote %. |
| So far, Cruz appears to be far behind Trump, though he may have some good news coming out of Utah shortly. | So far, Cruz appears to be far behind Trump, though he may have some good news coming out of Utah shortly. |
| Late Tuesday evening, Cruz did receive the endorsement of the Club for Growth PAC, which has spent millions in ads to block Trump. | Late Tuesday evening, Cruz did receive the endorsement of the Club for Growth PAC, which has spent millions in ads to block Trump. |
| 4.41am GMT | 4.41am GMT |
| 04:41 | 04:41 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| As we wait for the Idaho and Utah results to come in, Jeb Lund is fascinated by the ways talking heads kill dead time | As we wait for the Idaho and Utah results to come in, Jeb Lund is fascinated by the ways talking heads kill dead time |
| Here’s the fun thing about watching the 24-hour news analysts when they don’t have a result: you get to watch the same anxiety over major decisions that we go through for days get played out in high speed. | Here’s the fun thing about watching the 24-hour news analysts when they don’t have a result: you get to watch the same anxiety over major decisions that we go through for days get played out in high speed. |
| What did we know before the polls closed? Trump wins Arizona, Cruz wins everything else, Clinton wins Arizona, the others are a tossup. Probably. But the more time there is to fill, the more second-guessing we can go through. | What did we know before the polls closed? Trump wins Arizona, Cruz wins everything else, Clinton wins Arizona, the others are a tossup. Probably. But the more time there is to fill, the more second-guessing we can go through. |
| So we go through Trump’s negatives. Or we talk about the size of Sanders’ rallies and how eventually the word on him will get out to voters, despite the negative, chiding verbal gatekeeping of the mainstream media. | So we go through Trump’s negatives. Or we talk about the size of Sanders’ rallies and how eventually the word on him will get out to voters, despite the negative, chiding verbal gatekeeping of the mainstream media. |
| 4.13am GMT | 4.13am GMT |
| 04:13 | 04:13 |
| Bernie Sanders rallies | Bernie Sanders rallies |
| Meanwhile, appearing at a rally in San Diego, Bernie Sanders did not immediately mention the tough loss in Arizona, instead focusing on his expected wins in Utah and Idaho.“We have now won ten primaries and caucuses,” a hoarse-sounding Sanders told supporters. “And unless I’m mistaken we’re going to win a couple more tonight.” | Meanwhile, appearing at a rally in San Diego, Bernie Sanders did not immediately mention the tough loss in Arizona, instead focusing on his expected wins in Utah and Idaho.“We have now won ten primaries and caucuses,” a hoarse-sounding Sanders told supporters. “And unless I’m mistaken we’re going to win a couple more tonight.” |
| Here’s a snapshot of the crowd: | Here’s a snapshot of the crowd: |
| California or bust? Seven hours before @BernieSanders set to speak, hundreds (soon thousands?) line up in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/HzHxIelhDq | California or bust? Seven hours before @BernieSanders set to speak, hundreds (soon thousands?) line up in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/HzHxIelhDq |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.13am GMT | at 4.13am GMT |
| 4.09am GMT | 4.09am GMT |
| 04:09 | 04:09 |
| Hillary Clinton takes the stage | Hillary Clinton takes the stage |
| Hillary Clinton, in Washington, is taking swings at Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in her victory speech following a win in the Arizona primary: | Hillary Clinton, in Washington, is taking swings at Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in her victory speech following a win in the Arizona primary: |
| “The last thing we need, my friends, are leaders who incite more fear. In the face of terror, America doesn’t panic. We don’t build walls or turn our backs on our allies. We can’t throw out everything we know about what works and what doesn’t and start torturing people. What Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and others are suggesting is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. It will not keep us safe. This is a time for America to lead, not cower, and we will lead... | “The last thing we need, my friends, are leaders who incite more fear. In the face of terror, America doesn’t panic. We don’t build walls or turn our backs on our allies. We can’t throw out everything we know about what works and what doesn’t and start torturing people. What Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and others are suggesting is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. It will not keep us safe. This is a time for America to lead, not cower, and we will lead... |
| We have to dismantle the global terror pipeline. We have to strengthen our defenses here at home and we need to work closely with our allies ... This election really matters. | We have to dismantle the global terror pipeline. We have to strengthen our defenses here at home and we need to work closely with our allies ... This election really matters. |
| We need to keep working together. We need to make a point that we’re going into the future with confidence and optimism.” | We need to keep working together. We need to make a point that we’re going into the future with confidence and optimism.” |
| I am the most ready of everybody running to take that job.” | I am the most ready of everybody running to take that job.” |
| 3.39am GMT | 3.39am GMT |
| 03:39 | 03:39 |
| Jeb Lund | Jeb Lund |
| Jeb Lund reacts to the Hillary Clinton’s win and asks what else Democrats can expect tonight | Jeb Lund reacts to the Hillary Clinton’s win and asks what else Democrats can expect tonight |
| The big question of the night was the Arizona primary, where Sanders dropped $1.3m compared to Clinton’s $600,000, to try to combat her seemingly default advantage among minority voters. | The big question of the night was the Arizona primary, where Sanders dropped $1.3m compared to Clinton’s $600,000, to try to combat her seemingly default advantage among minority voters. |
| That question has now been answered. So what about the rest of the night? | That question has now been answered. So what about the rest of the night? |
| Bernie Sanders was leading Hillary Clinton in Utah according to the last poll, although those polls have flipped in the past. He could also be leading in Idaho. Those states could go either way without it being a surprise, in part because nobody seems to want to waste a lot of money on polling there. | Bernie Sanders was leading Hillary Clinton in Utah according to the last poll, although those polls have flipped in the past. He could also be leading in Idaho. Those states could go either way without it being a surprise, in part because nobody seems to want to waste a lot of money on polling there. |
| Meanwhile, as was the case with the Republican contest, the road to the DNC seems certain. Hillary Clinton’s legacy and the Democratic Party machine’s support and the mainstream media’s reflexive dismissal of Bernie Sanders still makes her the prohibitive favorite, and the question is how he plans to use his public acclaim and apportioned delegates to influence the future of the Democratic Party. | Meanwhile, as was the case with the Republican contest, the road to the DNC seems certain. Hillary Clinton’s legacy and the Democratic Party machine’s support and the mainstream media’s reflexive dismissal of Bernie Sanders still makes her the prohibitive favorite, and the question is how he plans to use his public acclaim and apportioned delegates to influence the future of the Democratic Party. |
| 3.32am GMT | 3.32am GMT |
| 03:32 | 03:32 |
| What the wins in Arizona mean for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and their challengers hoping to gain traction in the race: | What the wins in Arizona mean for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and their challengers hoping to gain traction in the race: |
| The Grand Canyon State is the largest purely winner-takes-all state left in the Republican calendar and is an important stepping stone, in particular, for Trump, who despite his frontrunner status faces a long, drawn-out slog to acquire the 1,237 delegates needed to become the GOP nominee. | The Grand Canyon State is the largest purely winner-takes-all state left in the Republican calendar and is an important stepping stone, in particular, for Trump, who despite his frontrunner status faces a long, drawn-out slog to acquire the 1,237 delegates needed to become the GOP nominee. |
| The effort to block Trump from securing the Republican ticket rests on preventing him from meeting that necessary delegate threshold, a move that would force the billionaire to make the case for his presidency in a contested convention where party elites, many of whom who are hostile to his candidacy, could hold sway. | The effort to block Trump from securing the Republican ticket rests on preventing him from meeting that necessary delegate threshold, a move that would force the billionaire to make the case for his presidency in a contested convention where party elites, many of whom who are hostile to his candidacy, could hold sway. |
| Arizona is less significant in the Democratic race, in which delegates are apportioned proportionately, and in which there are another seven states with larger tallies of delegates available before the party convention. | Arizona is less significant in the Democratic race, in which delegates are apportioned proportionately, and in which there are another seven states with larger tallies of delegates available before the party convention. |
| Related: Trump and Clinton inch closer to nomination with wins in Arizona | Related: Trump and Clinton inch closer to nomination with wins in Arizona |
| 3.25am GMT | 3.25am GMT |
| 03:25 | 03:25 |
| Clinton beats Sanders in Arizona | Clinton beats Sanders in Arizona |
| The AP has also announced a Hillary Clinton win in the Arizona primary against Bernie Sanders: | The AP has also announced a Hillary Clinton win in the Arizona primary against Bernie Sanders: |
| BREAKING: Hillary Clinton win Democratic primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:19 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall | BREAKING: Hillary Clinton win Democratic primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:19 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall |
| The win offers a nice boost to the frontrunner and makes the ongoing races in Utah and Idaho all the more critical for Sanders. | The win offers a nice boost to the frontrunner and makes the ongoing races in Utah and Idaho all the more critical for Sanders. |
| Thank you, Arizona! pic.twitter.com/jJ2G4MKiPK | Thank you, Arizona! pic.twitter.com/jJ2G4MKiPK |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.35am GMT | at 3.35am GMT |
| 3.21am GMT | 3.21am GMT |
| 03:21 | 03:21 |
| Trump wins Arizona | Trump wins Arizona |
| Donald Trump beat Ted Cruz in the Arizona primary, the Associated Press has just reported: | Donald Trump beat Ted Cruz in the Arizona primary, the Associated Press has just reported: |
| BREAKING: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:1 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall | BREAKING: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:1 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall |
| It’s a tough loss for Cruz, though not a surprising one, and the win further cements Trump’s frontrunner status in the Republican race. | It’s a tough loss for Cruz, though not a surprising one, and the win further cements Trump’s frontrunner status in the Republican race. |
| Arizona has 58 Republican delegates. | Arizona has 58 Republican delegates. |
| 3.16am GMT | 3.16am GMT |
| 03:16 | 03:16 |
| Sam Levin reports on the GOP voters in Utah who really despise Donald Trump: | Sam Levin reports on the GOP voters in Utah who really despise Donald Trump: |
| Brad Hansen, a 50-year-old Salt Lake City accountant, stood before a precinct of several dozen Republicans, expressing an anti-Trump sentiment that seems common among conservative Utahns here. | Brad Hansen, a 50-year-old Salt Lake City accountant, stood before a precinct of several dozen Republicans, expressing an anti-Trump sentiment that seems common among conservative Utahns here. |
| “We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it,” he said, adding that he didn’t know too much about John Kasich, but that it seemed like the Ohio governor was the only reasonable choice. | “We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it,” he said, adding that he didn’t know too much about John Kasich, but that it seemed like the Ohio governor was the only reasonable choice. |
| "We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it." - one GOP Utah voter supporting Kasich. pic.twitter.com/ioy6Q7O02i | "We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it." - one GOP Utah voter supporting Kasich. pic.twitter.com/ioy6Q7O02i |
| Hansen told the Guardian: “I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human. When Trump gets cornered, he gets angry. He’s never been a real businessman. He’s never been anything he purports to be.” | Hansen told the Guardian: “I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human. When Trump gets cornered, he gets angry. He’s never been a real businessman. He’s never been anything he purports to be.” |
| “I really think he started to run as a joke, and it morphed into something big and now he wants to see how long he can play the Americans ... He hasn’t come up with any ideas.” | “I really think he started to run as a joke, and it morphed into something big and now he wants to see how long he can play the Americans ... He hasn’t come up with any ideas.” |
| He said he needs to do more research on Kasich’s policies, but that he couldn’t imagine voting for anyone else at this point. | He said he needs to do more research on Kasich’s policies, but that he couldn’t imagine voting for anyone else at this point. |
| Brad Hansen, 50, Utah GOP voter who hates Trump: "I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human" pic.twitter.com/zHJ1P9KJ63 | Brad Hansen, 50, Utah GOP voter who hates Trump: "I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human" pic.twitter.com/zHJ1P9KJ63 |
| 3.05am GMT | 3.05am GMT |
| 03:05 | 03:05 |
| Ben Jacobs | Ben Jacobs |
| Donald Trump’s Twitter threat to “spill the beans” on the wife of Ted Cruz came just minutes before polls closed in Arizona and a few hours ahead of results from Utah. | Donald Trump’s Twitter threat to “spill the beans” on the wife of Ted Cruz came just minutes before polls closed in Arizona and a few hours ahead of results from Utah. |
| The tweet, which threatened Cruz and his wife over a Facebook ad run by an anti-Trump Super Pac unrelated to the Texas senator, came as expectations were growing that Trump might underperform and as his response to the terrorist attacks in Brussels has drawn major criticism. | The tweet, which threatened Cruz and his wife over a Facebook ad run by an anti-Trump Super Pac unrelated to the Texas senator, came as expectations were growing that Trump might underperform and as his response to the terrorist attacks in Brussels has drawn major criticism. |
| The ad, targeted only to female members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah, featured a nude picture of a Trump’s now-wife, Melania Trump, from a photoshoot for GQ in 2000. The frontrunner’s wife is lying on her front, so the image does not show her fully naked. | The ad, targeted only to female members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah, featured a nude picture of a Trump’s now-wife, Melania Trump, from a photoshoot for GQ in 2000. The frontrunner’s wife is lying on her front, so the image does not show her fully naked. |
| The ad had a caption suggesting voters back Cruz lest Trump become the next first lady. “Meet Melania Trump. Your Next First Lady,” it said. “Or, You Could Support Ted Cruz on Tuesday.” | The ad had a caption suggesting voters back Cruz lest Trump become the next first lady. “Meet Melania Trump. Your Next First Lady,” it said. “Or, You Could Support Ted Cruz on Tuesday.” |
| (Editors decided to remove a version of the ad from this blog, but the image is widely available on the internet, and can be viewed here.) | (Editors decided to remove a version of the ad from this blog, but the image is widely available on the internet, and can be viewed here.) |
| Trump claimed the ad, targeted only in Utah where anti-Trump forces are hoping that Ted Cruz reach the 50% threshold needed for him to win all the state’s delegates, was a personal attack from Texas senator. | Trump claimed the ad, targeted only in Utah where anti-Trump forces are hoping that Ted Cruz reach the 50% threshold needed for him to win all the state’s delegates, was a personal attack from Texas senator. |
| Cruz quickly took to Twitter to respond, writing: “Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you’re more of a coward than I thought. #classless? | Cruz quickly took to Twitter to respond, writing: “Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you’re more of a coward than I thought. #classless? |
| From Trump’s perspective, the spat also serves a distraction from what may be a less than stellar night for Trump. While the Republican frontrunner is expected to win Arizona’s primary, it may be, by far, less than expected. One of the major reasons that Trump is expected to win is that Arizona’s loose early voting laws meant that a majority of the electorate voted before Tuesday and many anti-Trump voters cast their ballots for Marco Rubio before he dropped out. However, Cruz held campaign events in the state on Sunday and may be able to trim the margin. | From Trump’s perspective, the spat also serves a distraction from what may be a less than stellar night for Trump. While the Republican frontrunner is expected to win Arizona’s primary, it may be, by far, less than expected. One of the major reasons that Trump is expected to win is that Arizona’s loose early voting laws meant that a majority of the electorate voted before Tuesday and many anti-Trump voters cast their ballots for Marco Rubio before he dropped out. However, Cruz held campaign events in the state on Sunday and may be able to trim the margin. |
| Trump has also suffered from an off-key response to the massive terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. They came just one day after the Republican frontrunner called for the US to play a significantly smaller role in Nato, which is headquartered in Brussels and also flip-flopped yet again on sending ground troops to fight Isis. In response to the attack, Trump reaffirmed his support for torture and a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States while standing by his skepticism of Nato. | Trump has also suffered from an off-key response to the massive terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. They came just one day after the Republican frontrunner called for the US to play a significantly smaller role in Nato, which is headquartered in Brussels and also flip-flopped yet again on sending ground troops to fight Isis. In response to the attack, Trump reaffirmed his support for torture and a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States while standing by his skepticism of Nato. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.10am GMT | at 3.10am GMT |