Washington, New Hampshire (CNN) Ted Cruz swatted away the idea that Donald Trump's conversion to Republicanism was genuine, saying that Trump's late-life change to conservatism was in no way similar to that of another former Democrat, Ronald Reagan.

"Ronald Reagan did not spend the first 60 years of his life supporting Democratic politicians, advocating for big government," Cruz told reporters here, adding other examples, including "supporting things like the TARP big bank bailouts, supporting things like expanding Obamacare to turn it into socialized medicine. That's not what Ronald Reagan did."

Cruz, who has shed all caution about attacking Trump after months of playing nice, continued to aggressively bash Trump in media appearances, while giving him a light touch in front of audiences on the trail.

When asked about Trump's latest line of attack -- that some unreported bank loans to Cruz show he is controlled by Wall Street interests -- the Texas senator turned the tables, telling the Kuhner Report that it was Trump who had stood with big business during the fights over TARP and the 2009 economic stimulus package.

"I don't come from wealth. Unlike Donald, I didn't inherit millions of dollars," defending his loans from Goldman Sachs and CitiBank. "You want to assess who stands with Wall Street? Then look at the actual records of the candidates."

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