Donald Trump Flip-Flops on Canada-Born Ted Cruz's Eligibility to Run

Trump had previously said "he's born in Canada; it's a problem."

ByABC News
September 9, 2015, 4:22 PM

— -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has reversed his position on Ted Cruz’s eligibility to run for president, now saying his Canadian birthplace shouldn’t disqualify him.

“I hear it was checked out by every attorney and every which way and I understand Ted is in fine shape,” Trump told ABC News just before speaking at a Capitol Hill rally blasting the Iran nuclear deal.

That stands in stark contrast to what Trump said about Cruz in December, when he told ABC News that Cruz’s Canadian birth could prevent him from running.

“I think he's a really nice guy, I've gotten to know him a little bit, but I think if he's born in Canada it's a problem no question about it,” he said during an interview at Washington’s iconic Old Post Office, which Trump recently acquired and is transforming into a luxury hotel.

But there seems to be no love lost between the two presidential contenders, with Trump also joking that there is a “little bit of a romance” between him and the junior Texas senator.

Cruz also embraced their partnership, telling ABC News he’s unabashed about the fact that Trump’s presence at any event benefits Cruz.

“Everywhere Donald goes, he brings a hundred television cameras with him,” Cruz said, blatantly acknowledging that he’s trying to win Trump’s supporters, as he is for every one of his GOP rivals.

“I don't believe Donald is going to be the nominee. We are running to win this nomination,” he said. “And I am hoping to win every one of Donald Trump's supporters.”