Josh Hafner

USA TODAY

Sean Hannity erupted at Ted Cruz over the Texas senator's refusal to discuss his strategic use of the primary delegate system during an interview Tuesday.

While Donald Trump has won more primaries than Cruz in the Republican race, Cruz has cobbled together a slew of delegates by relying on lesser-known delegate selection rules – much to Trump’s chagrin.

While the process was well within party rules, Hannity said, most voters had no idea it even existed. So the host asked Cruz to explain it.

“So you’re in a process of talking to delegates, and it seems to be very extensive,” Hannity said. “Could you explain to people what’s going on?”

Cruz didn’t want to discuss it.

“Sean, with all respect, that’s not what people care about,” he said. “People are concerned about bringing jobs back to America.”

Hannity cited his national TV and radio presence, saying many of his listeners had in fact asked him about Cruz’s delegate strategy.

“Sean, the only people asking this question are the hard-core Donald Trump supporters,” Cruz said.

That’s when Hannity became upset

“You gotta stop! Every time I have you on the air, and I ask a legitimate question, you try to throw this in my face,” he said.

“I’m getting sick of it. I’ve had you on more than any other candidate on radio and TV. So if I ask you, Senator, a legitimate question to explain to the audience, why don’t you just answer it?”

Cruz relented.

“Now there is a second component beyond the elections, which is the individual delegates are elected by the people. Donald Trump’s campaign does not know how to organize on the grass roots,” Cruz said, allowing him to win those delegates “over and over and over again.”

“I cannot help that the Donald Trump campaign does not seem capable of running a lemonade stand,” said Cruz, who later called Trump’s campaign “a Kim Kardashian reality show.”

“What if the delegate selection doesn’t represent the will of the people in that particular district or area?” Hannity said.

Cruz didn’t directly respond.

“The Trump campaign wants to distract from the real issues,” Cruz said.

Hear audio of the full exchange here:

[h/t TPM]

Follow Josh Hafner on Twitter: @joshhafner