Ted Cruz refused to endorse GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump on day three of the Republican National Convention Wednesday night, prompting many audience members to boo the Texas senator and chant "We want Trump!"
"If you love our country and love your children as much as I know that you do, stand and speak and vote your conscience," Cruz declared. "Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the constitution."
Cruz's "vote your conscience" line echoes the #NeverTrump campaign's call for delegates to "vote their conscience," rather than for the controversial businessman and reality TV star-turned-politician.
Online reaction to the Texas senator's speech was mixed:
You want principled? That was principled. Cruz @ #RNCinCLE
I supported Cruz originally & am appalled. Not endorsing is 1 thing, but told voters it essentially didn't matter who they voted for. Awful
Lots of @realDonaldTrump supporters upset that @tedcruz withheld his endorsement. I'm not. #RNCinCLE
Ted Cruz didn't have the decency to stay home...He should be ashamed of coming to someone's big party and being so rude
Donald Trump, for his part, said afterwards that he knew Cruz was not going to endorse him, but decided to let the speech happen regardless.
