It sounded like a joke just months ago, but tonight Donald Trump has become the presumptive GOP presidential nominee after cruising past Ted Cruz in Indiana, a do-or-die state for the evangelical Texas senator, who’s now called it quits.
Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said it himself:
.@realDonaldTrump will be presumptive @GOP nominee, we all need to unite and focus on defeating @HillaryClinton #NeverClinton
— Reince Priebus (@Reince) May 4, 2016
In Iowa, the news was enough for prominent Cruz backer and conservative radio host Steve Deace to finally forsake the Republican Party:
Well, there goes my time as a Republican. We'll be changing our party affiliations tomorrow. Frankly, I feel relieved to do it. Free even.
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) May 4, 2016
The Trump Cult fought hard for this nomination and earned it. Enjoy, it's all yours. Here are the keys to your lemon.
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) May 4, 2016
Cruz’s unprecedented, last-ditch strategy to name failed HP CEO Carly Fiorina as his running mate couldn’t save his campaign, further showing that although Bob Vander Plaats may be Iowa’s GOP presidential kingmaker his reach has limits:
History made!!!#CruzFiorina pic.twitter.com/Uq8aVzQlvz
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) April 27, 2016
No word yet on Twitter from Steve King, whose endorsement of the anti-RFS Cruz earned him a primary challenger this summer, nor Sarah Palin, who endorsed Trump at a January rally in Ames.
Read all of our Trump coverage, including our exclusive interview with the Iowa City man who chucked tomatoes at the candidate, look at the Des Moines first grader starring in videos reciting profane Trump quotes, and story with thoughts from prominent Iowa Chris Christie backers when the New Jersey governor endorsed The Donald, right here.
