Ted Cruz's father was with Oswald before JFK assassination, Trump says

In response, the Cruz campaign told the Miami Herald Tuesday that the Enquirer article was a "garbage story."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: MAY 3, 2016 18:46
Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) talks with rival Ted Cruz during a commercial break in the midst of the Republican US presidential candidates debate, March 10, 2016. (photo credit: REUTERS)
Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) talks with rival Ted Cruz during a commercial break in the midst of the Republican US presidential candidates debate, March 10, 2016.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The father of US Republican presidential candidate, Senator Ted Cruz, was a known associate of John F. Kennedy’s assassin and was with the murderer before killing the president, his rival for the GOP nomination Donald Trump claimed Tuesday.
“His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being — you know, shot. I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous,” Trump alleged during a phone interview with Fox News, according to Politico.
“I mean, what was he doing — what was he doing with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the death? Before the shooting?” Trump continued. “It’s horrible.”
Trump's allegation stems from a National Enquirer article printed earlier this week in which the tabloid claims it has visual evidence of Rafael Cruz pictured with Lee Harvey Oswald. The two men are seen in the photograph distributing pro-Fidel Castro leaflets in New Orleans in 1963, Politico added.
In response, the Cruz campaign told the Miami Herald Tuesday that the Enquirer article was a "garbage story in a tabloid full of garbage.”
Cruz later gave a press conference and said the publication was purposely attacking him due to the tabloid's close association with Trump.
"[The National Enquirer is] run by his good friend David Pecker, the CEO, whose endorsed Donal Trump. And so the National Enquirer has become his hit piece that he uses to smear anybody and everybody," CNN reported Cruz as saying.
The allegation was followed by a harsh condemnation by Trump after it was revealed Monday that Rafael Cruz, an influential pastor within the evangelical community, had urged Christians to vote for his son during a campaign event earlier in the week.
“I implore, I exhort every member of the body of Christ to vote according to the word of God and vote for the candidate that stands on the word of God and on the Constitution of the United States of America,” Rafael Cruz can be heard saying in footage aired on Fox News. “And I am convinced that man is my son, Ted Cruz. The alternative could be the destruction of America.”
Trump angrily struck back in response, saying Cruz's use of the pulpit was disgraceful and "horrible."
"I think it’s a disgrace that he’s allowed to do it. I think it’s a disgrace that he’s allowed to say it,” said Trump. "And so many people are angry about it. And the evangelicals are angry about it, the way he does that.”
“But I think it's horrible,” he added. “I think it's absolutely horrible that a man can go and do that, what he's saying there.”
Rafael Cruz has also used his son's support for Israel to court the evangelical vote during the campaign trail.
In February, the pastor told Proclaiming Justice to The Nations, a pro-Israel Christian group, that his son is  the "strongest supporter of Israel on Capitol Hill" and "will continue to support Israel unconditionally."
He added that if elected, President Cruz "will not fund the United Nations until they stop supporting BDS and anti-Semitism.”
Michael Wilner contributed to this report.