Senator Ted Cruz maintained a bitter discourse with rival Donald Trump during the contentious Republican primary race, culminating in his refusal during the 2016 Republican National Convention to endorse Trump.
On 23 September 2016, Cruz publicly buried the hatchet via a lengthy status update on Facebook, in which the former candidate "honored" his commitment to endorse the Republican nominee:
This election is unlike any other in our nation’s history. Like many other voters, I have struggled to determine the right course of action in this general election.
In Cleveland, I urged voters, “please, don’t stay home in November. Stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket whom you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.”
After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump.
Cruz then outlined six policy positions he maintained were central to his endorsement: the Supreme Court (which is in need of one justice after the death of Antonin Scalia), the Affordable Care Act, energy and the "war on coal," immigration, national security, and internet freedom. Cruz concluded:
Our country is in crisis. Hillary Clinton is manifestly unfit to be president, and her policies would harm millions of Americans. And Donald Trump is the only thing standing in her way.
A year ago, I pledged to endorse the Republican nominee, and I am honoring that commitment. And if you don’t want to see a Hillary Clinton presidency, I encourage you to vote for him.
Despite mixed reactions both on and off social media, Cruz has not commented further on his Trump endorsement.