Rep. Steve King: Trump trading on wealth for endorsements
Steve King speaks at the Iowa Freedom Summit on January 24, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo: Scott Olsen/Getty Images)
Rep. Steve King, one of the most influential Iowa backers of GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz, has sharpened his attacks on frontrunner Donald Trump, suggesting he’s picked up endorsements by promising wealth or fame to potential backers.
“It’s just known that Donald has a lot of resources. He’s made sure we all know that. He’s told us over and over again that he’s really, really rich,” King said. “If there’s anyone in this race who can make an offer that’s very difficult or maybe impossible to refuse, it’s Donald Trump.”
Trump has picked up the endorsements of Sarah Palin, anti-immigration leader Sheriff Joe Arpaio and evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. in recent days.
King also said there’s a “fear factor” — that if you say no to Trump’s endorsement request, he’ll attack you in front of his sizeable online following or find another way to punish you. Earlier this week, Trump accused Iowa politician and evangelical activist Bob Vander Plaats of being a “phony” and a “bad guy” who asked Trump to stay for free at his hotels. Trump had courted Vander Plaats, but lost his endorsement to Cruz.
“I find out that very high-profile people have a difficult time saying no to Donald Trump, and sometimes it’s a carrot and sometimes it’s a stick and sometimes it’s a combination,” King said.
The Cruz-Trump rivalry has gotten nastier in the final days before the primary, with the real estate tycoon calling Cruz a “nasty guy” who “nobody likes.” The senator blasted Trump for his decision to sit out Thursday’s Republican debate, telling a crowd in Iowa Wednesday night that Trump is “fragile soul” who is scared to face Fox News’ Megyn Kelly. Trump, meanwhile, appeared on Bill O’Reilly’s Fox News show to defend his decision, saying he will raise money for veterans during the event instead.
A Trump spokeswoman did not return a request for comment.
