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---
title: Donald Trump: Ted Cruz Is &#x27;Not Allowed&#x27; to Run for President
description: Ted Cruz is “not allowed” to run for president of the United States, his rival Donald Trump said Monday.
canonical: https://time.com/4202049/donald-trump-ted-cruz-not-allowed-to-run/
author: Melissa Chan
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article:published_time: 2016-02-01T12:47:24.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-19T07:48:13.752Z
article:section: Politics
og:title: Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Is &#x27;Not Allowed&#x27; to Run for President
og:description: “Numerous lawyers have come out saying he’s not allowed to run&quot;
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og:image:alt: GOP Presidential Candidate Senator Ted Cruz Campaigns In Iowa Day Ahead Of State&#x27;s Caucus
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twitter:title: Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Is &#x27;Not Allowed&#x27; to Run for President
twitter:description: “Numerous lawyers have come out saying he’s not allowed to run&quot;
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# Donald Trump Says Ted Cruz Is 'Not Allowed' to Run for President

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![Melissa Chan](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f683114c6819712/69894082096a946ae86a4153/m_chan.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Melissa Chan](https://time.com/author/melissa-chan/)


![Melissa Chan](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f683114c6819712/69894082096a946ae86a4153/m_chan.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Melissa Chan


Feb 1, 2016 12:47 PM UTC

![GOP Presidential Candidate Senator Ted Cruz Campaigns In Iowa Day Ahead Of State's Caucus](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt7a16a05f46d069b7/69887b88196cf4363803a1fd/ted-cruz-iowa-caucuses.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks to Iowa voters at the Iowa State Fairgrounds January 31, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks to Iowa voters at the Iowa State Fairgrounds January 31, 2016 in Des Moines, Iowa. Win McNamee-Getty Images

![Melissa Chan](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f683114c6819712/69894082096a946ae86a4153/m_chan.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Melissa Chan](https://time.com/author/melissa-chan/)


![Melissa Chan](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5f683114c6819712/69894082096a946ae86a4153/m_chan.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Melissa Chan


Feb 1, 2016 12:47 PM UTC

Ted Cruz is “not allowed” to [run for president of the United States](http://time.com/4201716/iowa-caucuses-donald-trump-ted-cruz/?xid=homepage), his rival Donald Trump said Monday.

The real estate mogul doubled down on claims he made that the [Canadian-born senator from Texas](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ted-cruz-is-not-eligible-to-be-president/2016/01/12/1484a7d0-b7af-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d%5Fstory.html), citing “constitutional lawyers,” isn’t eligible to win the presidency while discussing his current lead in the final poll before the [Iowa caucuses](http://time.com/4198842/iowa-caucuses-answers/?xid=homepage).

“Numerous lawyers have come out saying he’s not allowed to run,” Trump said on NBC’s Today show. “That’s a tough thing. “ Trump on Sunday called Cruz “totally unelectable, if he even gets to run” because he’s not a natural-born citizen.

Trump said it was a “cloud” over Cruz’s head before touting his previous endorsements, including one from Sarah Palin. “It’s a movement. People really want to take our country back,” he said. “They want to make America great again, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

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