‘Cruz is worse than a puppet:’ Trump rages after losing in Wisconsin

Following a crushing defeat in the Wisconsin primary, Republican presidential contender Donald Trump’s campaign issued a blistering statement Tuesday targeting Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and the GOP.

Cruz won easily in the Badger State, while Democrat Bernie Sanders defeated Hillary Clinton.

READ MORE: Struggling with female voters, Trump has wife stump at rally in Wisconsin

Trump, who has been gracious in past defeats, took a decidedly different tone calling “Lyin’ Ted Cruz” “worse than a puppet.”

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“Lyin’ Ted Cruz had the Governor of Wisconsin, many conservative talk radio show hosts, and the entire party apparatus behind him,” Trump’s campaign said in a statement.

“Not only was he propelled by the anti-Trump Super PAC’s spending countless millions of dollars on false advertising against Mr. Trump, but he was coordinating with his own Super PAC’s (which is illegal) who totally control him. Ted Cruz is worse than a puppet— he is a Trojan horse, being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Not only was he propelled by the anti-Trump Super PAC's spending countless millions of dollars on false advertising against Mr. Trump, but he was coordinating with his own Super PAC's (which is illegal) who totally control him. Ted Cruz is worse than a puppet— he is a Trojan horse, being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump."

The billionaire businessman had aggressively campaigned in Wisconsin ahead of Tuesday’s primary, and even predicted a victory. But a series of missteps and comments on key policy issues highlighted his weaknesses and his ability to connect with female voters.

READ MORE: Donald Trump finally reveals how he would force Mexico to pay for border wall

A spat involving Cruz’s wife and comments that women who undergo an abortion should be “punished” dogged him ahead of Tuesday’s primary.

However, with Wisconsin’s results included, Trump leads with 740 delegates to Cruz’s 514, and Kasich is third with 143. It takes 1,237 delegates to win the nomination.