Ted Cruz borrowed a famous movie quote to jab Donald Trump for threatening his wife
Mike Stone/Reuters
"She is way out of his league," Cruz told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America." "If he wants to get in a character fight he should stick with me."
The line was nearly identical to one used in the 1995 film "The American President."
In a memorable scene, President Andrew Shepard, who was portrayed by Michael Douglas, said the following:
You want a character debate, Bob? You better stick with me, 'cause Sydney Ellen Wade is way out of your league.
Fast forward to 3:03 of the below clip to catch the bit from "The American President:"
It wouldn't be the first time Cruz used a dated pop culture reference in a spat with Trump, if he did indeed lift the line from the movie. He's cited Janet Jackson, the 1970s TV show "Happy Days," and the hit 1980s song "Maniac" in previous dustups.
The latest feud between Trump and Cruz started late Tuesday night, as votes were being tallied in Utah and Arizona, when Trump tweeted the following:
Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!
That tweet came minutes after Trump deleted a similar threatening tweet toward Cruz's wife, Heidi. The ad Trump is referencing came from an anti-Trump super PAC that has no affiliation with Cruz. It showed Trump's wife, who had a successful modeling career, posing in a nude photoshoot for British GQ.
Cruz fired back within minutes:
Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought. #classless https://t.co/0QpKSnjgnE
- Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 23, 2016
Trump then shot back at Cruz Wednesday morning, following his "Good Morning America" interview.
"Lyin' Ted Cruz denied that he had anything to do with the G.Q. model photo post of Melania," he tweeted. "That's why we call him Lyin' Ted!"
Watch Cruz's interview on "Good Morning America" below:
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