Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz ‘Stole’ Iowa Caucus

Billionaire presidential candidate accuses Texas senator of “fraud” after losing to him in first primary of 2016 election

MARSHALLTOWN, IA – JANUARY 26: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a rally on January 26, 2016 in Marshalltown, Iowa. Sheriff Joe Arpaio, the anti-immigration sheriff from Maricopa County, Arizona, today announced his support for Trump's presidential bid. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Donald Trump is going full Donald Trump on Ted Cruz after losing to the Texas senator in Monday’s Iowa caucuses.

In a flurry of tweets on Wednesday morning, Trump said, “Ted Cruz didn’t win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!”

“During primetime of the Iowa Caucus, Cruz put out a release that [Ben Carson] was quitting the race, and to caucus (or vote) for Cruz,” he continued. “Many people voted for Cruz over Carson because of this Cruz fraud. Also, Cruz sent out a VOTER VIOLATION certificate to thousands of voters.”

Trump also accused Cruz of lying to Iowa voters by telling them that Trump was in favor of ObamaCare and the pro-choice movement.

“Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified,” he concluded.

Cruz beat Trump in a tight race for the Republican Iowa Caucus, securing 27.6 percent of the votes to Trump’s 24.3 percent.

Cruz was lagging behind Trump in some polls in the days before the caucus, but managed to pull a last-minute upset.

The victory gives Cruz a boost going into the New Hampshire primaries on Feb. 9. Trump is leading there in the polls by double digits.

Trump told his supporters he was “honored” to finish second and congratulated Cruz. “We finished second,” he said Monday. “And I want to tell you something. I’m just honored. I’m really honored and I want to congratulate Ted and want to congratulate all the incredible candidates … Congratulations to everybody.”

See Trump’s tweets below.

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