Ted Cruz says he's still standing by Trump after vulgar video



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AUSTIN — Sen. Ted Cruz says he's standing by Donald Trump, refusing to withdraw support that he offered in a surprising about-face barely two weeks ago.

The Houstonian said while visiting the small Texas town of Muleshoe on Monday, "I am supporting the Republican nominee because I think Hillary Clinton is an absolute disaster."

He didn't name Trump, but added that he'd "articulated at great length" his differences with the businessman during the Republican primary.

Cruz spent months as a Trump holdout only to announce his support last month — two weeks before a 2005 video surfaced Friday showing Trump making vulgar comments about women.

Cruz had previously denounced Trump's "disturbing and inappropriate" comments, but not said whether he'd join some Republicans in urging Trump to step aside as GOP presidential nominee.

The two men were fierce competitors during the primaries, and their dispute worsened after Trump seemingly made fun of Heidi Cruz's looks on Twitter.

Trump re-tweeted a now-infamous post showing an unflattering photo of Heidi Cruz next to a glamorous shot of his wife, Melania.