Sen.Ted Cruz is reportedly taking a rare and politically risky stance within the Republican Party by publicly opposing President Donald Trump in two key state-level GOP runoff races.According to reporting cited by Axios, Cruz has endorsed candidates running against Trump-backed contenders in Georgia and South Carolina.In Georgia’s upcoming runoff, Cruz is supporting Rick Jackson, a healthcare executive challenging Trump-endorsed Lt.Gov.Burt Jones.In South Carolina, he has backed Attorney General Alan Wilson over Trump-supported Lt.Gov.Pamela Evette.

The move is notable because Cruz appears to be the only prominent potential 2028 Republican presidential contender willing to openly oppose Trump’s preferred candidates in these contests.

This breaks with a broader pattern of GOP figures avoiding direct confrontation with Trump, whose influence over Republican primaries has remained strong for years.

The White House reportedly dismissed Cruz’s actions as politically calculated, suggesting the senator may be positioning himself for a future presidential bid.

Axios also reported that Cruz has been quietly critical of Trump’s economic policies, including tariffs, and has expressed skepticism in private donor conversations about their potential impact on Republicans’ electoral prospects.

Additionally, he has reportedly taken aim at Vice President JD Vance, a likely future rival in the 2028 race, and has criticized media figures aligned with Vance, including Tucker Carlson.The endorsements highlight a growing tension within the GOP between loyalty to Trump and early maneuvering among potential successors.While Cruz’s strategy could help him appeal to anti-establishment or post-Trump conservatives, it also carries significant risk.

If Trump-backed candidates win their runoffs, Cruz could face political backlash from the former president and his supporters, potentially complicating his long-term national ambitions.