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Getty Trump denies any role in National Enquirer story on Cruz

Donald Trump denied having any role in a National Enquirer story alleging that his campaign rival Sen. Ted Cruz has had extramarital affairs, insisting he had no knowledge of the story prior to it being printed.

“I have no idea whether or not the cover story about Ted Cruz in this week’s issue of the National Enquirer is true or not, but I had absolutely nothing to do with it, did not know about it, and have not, as yet, read it,” the Republican presidential front-runner said in a statement.

Speaking to reporters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Friday, Cruz accused “Trump and his henchmen” of planting the seeds to what he called a “garbage” story and “tabloid smear.”

“I have nothing to do with the National Enquirer and unlike Lyin’ Ted Cruz I do not surround myself with political hacks and henchman (sic) and then pretend total innocence,” Trump shot back in the statement.

The real estate mogul said Cruz’s issue with the Enquirer is his alone, but said that the publication was “right about O.J. Simpson, John Edwards, and many others.”

“I certainly hope they are not right about Lyin’ Ted Cruz,” he added, before claiming he will win the nomination and the White House. “I look forward to spending the week in Wisconsin, winning the Republican nomination and ultimately the Presidency in order to Make America Great Again.”

A former Trump adviser, Roger Stone, is quoted in the tabloid's report, in which he suggests the accusations of adultery could have merit and hurt Cruz's campaign.

"These stories have been swirling about Cruz for some time," Stone said. "I believe where there is smoke there is fire. I have to believe this will hurt him with his evangelical Christian supporters."