‘Never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch,’ says Boehner, but presidential hopeful Cruz counters: ‘I don’t even know the man’

Ted Cruz is 'Lucifer in the flesh', says former speaker John Boehner

John Boehner, the former House speaker, has called presidential candidate Ted Cruz “Lucifer in the flesh” in remarks that expose the depth of discontent within the Republican party.

Do the math: Indiana win would help Trump reach magic number of delegates Read more

Speaking at a town hall-style event for students at Stanford University in California on Wednesday, Boehner called front-runner Donald Trump his “texting buddy”, but offered a more graphic response when asked about the Texas senator.

“Lucifer in the flesh,” the former speaker said. “I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life.”

His comments were first reported by Stanford’s student newspaper.

Cruz, campaigning in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Thursday ahead of the state’s 3 May primary, responded by saying Boehner was letting his “inner Trump come out”.

“John Boehner in his remarks described Donald Trump as his texting and golfing buddy,” Cruz said. “So if you want someone that’s a texting and golfing buddy, if you’re happy with John Boehner as speaker of the House and you want a president like John Boehner, Donald Trump is your man.”

Both Cruz and Carly Fiorina, who was campaigning with him after he named her as his running mate, also referred to Boehner’s comments during the rally.

In 2013, Cruz joined forces with tea party conservatives in the House in triggering a partial, 16-day government shutdown over demands to undo Barack Obama’s healthcare law. There was no chance Obama would agree to such a step, and Republican leaders like Boehner saw the move as a fruitless effort that only hurt the GOP politically.

Two years later, it was the same House conservatives who challenged Boehner’s leadership, and the speaker decided to step down rather than allow a very public fight.

Boehner’s successor, Paul Ryan, said at his weekly news conference on Thursday: “My job is to help unify our party. I have a very good relationship with both of these men, and I’m going to keep it that way.”

Cruz told reporters on Thursday that he had never worked with Boehner who stepped down as speaker in the fall.

“The truth of the matter is I don’t know the man,” Cruz said. “I’ve met John Boehner two or three times in my life. If I have said 50 words in my life to John Boehner, I would be surprised. And every one of them has consisted of pleasantries, ‘Good to see you Mr Speaker’. I’ve never had any substantive conversation with John Boehner in any respect.”

Cruz said he was rebuffed by Boehner when he asked to meet with him during the government shutdown.

Cruz said Boehner’s comments reflect his frustration with Americans who stand with Republicans who want to hold members of Congress accountable for their campaign promises to repeal Obama’s health care law and pursue other conservative goals.

“When John Boehner calls me Lucifer, he’s not directing that at me,” Cruz said. “He’s directing that at you.”