The Latest: Cruz says Trump spreading false rumors

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin (AP) — The Latest on the Republican race for president (all times local):

3:05 p.m.

Donald Trump is denying allegations made by Republican presidential rival Ted Cruz that he is spreading rumors about the Texas senator's personal life.

Trump says in a statement issued Friday that he knows nothing about the allegations on social media and in a supermarket tabloid that Cruz has cheated on his wife, Heidi.

FULL STATEMENT

Donald J. Trump issued the following statement today on the National Enquirer Story:

"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. Likewise, I have nothing to do with the National Enquirer and unlike Lyin’ Ted Cruz I do not surround myself with political hacks and henchman and then pretend total innocence. Ted Cruz’s problem with the National Enquirer is his and his alone, and while they were right about O.J. Simpson, John Edwards, and many others, I certainly hope they are not right about Lyin’ Ted Cruz. I look forward to spending the week in Wisconsin, winning the Republican nomination and ultimately the Presidency in order to Make America Great Again."
 

Cruz forcefully denied the rumors on Friday, denouncing them as "garbage" and angrily accused Trump and "his henchmen" of trafficking in "slime" and "sleaze."

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2:34 p.m.

Ted Cruz is accusing rival Donald Trump of stoking false rumors about his personal life.

The Texas senator told reporters in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Friday that the Republican presidential campaign has taken a "darker turn." Cruz is accusing Trump and "his henchmen" of spreading false rumors that Cruz has cheated on his wife, Heidi.

It's an escalation of the back-and-forth between the two.

Trump hasn't held a public event since Monday, and Cruz says the billionaire businessman is "hiding in Trump Tower" and campaigning via Twitter instead of meeting with voters.

Asked if he plans to vote for Trump should he win the GOP nomination, Cruz says, "I don't make a habit of supporting people who attack my wife and my family."