Senator Ted Cruz Reportedly Tells Donors of Newsmax CEO's Support for 2028 Presidential Campaign
Senator Ted Cruz has informed donors that he expects Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy to endorse his anticipated 2028 presidential bid, according to a report from the Daily Mail. This revelation provides the Texas Republican with a potentially influential conservative media platform as he prepares for a likely challenge against Vice President JD Vance.
Fundraiser Disclosure and Immediate Denial
The disclosure emerged from an attendee at a Cruz fundraiser held late last year, who told the Daily Mail: '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.'
Cruz's spokesperson Macarena Martinez swiftly denied the donor's account, stating: '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. Journalists used to know how to do their jobs. Those days are clearly far behind us.'
The donor source responded sharply: 'I guess they don't call him lying Ted for nothing.'
Timing Coincides with Senate Committee Hearing
This development comes as Ruddy is scheduled to testify before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on Tuesday. Cruz chairs this committee, which will conduct a hearing titled 'We Interrupt This Program: Media Ownership and the Digital Age.'
When asked directly about supporting Cruz's presidential ambitions, Ruddy did not provide a clear answer. Instead, he supplied a statement through a spokesperson focusing on the upcoming hearing: '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's Stance on Media Consolidation
Ruddy has consistently opposed major media mergers, particularly the proposed combination between Nexstar (parent company of NewsNation) and Tenga, which owns 64 local television stations across 51 U.S. markets. He has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that the deal violates national ownership caps.
The FCC's current regulations prohibit broadcasters from owning stations that reach more than 39 percent of U.S. households. The enlarged Nexstar entity would reach approximately 54.5 percent of households.
In a November Newsmax op-ed, Ruddy wrote: 'The answer to Big Tech consolidation is not to give left-wing TV broadcasters massive consolidation and power too. We don't need anti-Trump media controlling everything.'
Trump's Surprise Endorsement Creates Political Crossroads
In a surprising twist, former President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the Nexstar-Tenga merger over the weekend, posting on Truth Social: '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. Those that are opposed don't fully understand how good the concept of this Deal is for them, but they will in the future. GET THAT DEAL DONE!'
Trump's endorsement places Ruddy on the same side of the issue as prominent Democrats, including progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Maxwell Frost and Summer Lee.
Cruz's Committee Hearing and Political Positioning
Tuesday's hearing will feature witnesses representing diverse viewpoints on media ownership rules. The panel includes Curtis LeGeyt of the National Association of Broadcasters (supporting elimination of ownership caps), former FCC general counsel Thomas Johnson (arguing the agency can change rules without Congress), and Steve Waldman of Rebuild Local News.
As committee chair, Cruz has not officially taken a position on the merger. However, he has previously clashed with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, criticizing Carr's move to target ABC's broadcast license over comments by Jimmy Kimmel as 'dangerous as hell.'
Cruz warned: 'Going down this road, there will come a time when a Democrat wins again – wins the White House … they will silence us. They will use this power, and they will use it ruthlessly. And that is dangerous.'
Cruz's Presidential Ambitions and Rivalry with Vance
The Texas senator has been transparent about his White House aspirations, recently dismissing speculation about a Supreme Court appointment with characteristic bluntness: 'My answer's not just no, it's hell no.'
Cruz explained his preference for political engagement over judicial restraint: 'A principled federal judge stays out of political fights and stays out of policy fights. I want to be right in the middle of them.'
Behind the scenes, Cruz has reportedly been critical of his potential 2028 rival, characterizing Vice President JD Vance as 'Tucker's protégé' in leaked audio recordings obtained by Axios last month.
Strategic Importance of Newsmax Endorsement
While Newsmax attracts approximately one-sixth of Fox News Channel's audience, with its highest-rated January show reaching 345,000 viewers compared to Fox's 2.046 million in primetime, Ruddy's endorsement could prove strategically valuable for Cruz.
A source close to the White House explained the potential significance: 'Because he's got no other conservative outlet. Everyone else is gonna be with JD.' The source added wryly: 'Maybe the way he sees it is Ted's going to be in the primary for a month and then he'll be gone, so it's not really - it's not like he's making a long-term commitment.'
This unfolding situation highlights the complex intersection of media regulation, political ambition, and conservative media dynamics as the 2028 presidential election cycle begins to take shape.
