Donald Trump, Ted Cruz spar over transgender bathroom law

The issue that has roiled North Carolina erupted into the Republican presidential race Thursday, with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz attacking Donald Trump over his criticism of the state’s actions over transgender bathrooms.

Trump’s comments also put him at odds with the Republican-controlled General Assembly and GOP Gov. Pat McCrory.

Trump was asked about HB2 during a televised town hall hosted by NBC’s “Today” show.

“North Carolina did something that was very strong, and they’re paying a big price,” he said. “Leave it the way it is. North Carolina, what they’re going through, with all of the business and all of the strife – and that’s on both sides – you leave it the way it is.

“There have been very few complaints the way it is. People go, they use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble. And the problem with what happened in North Carolina is the strife and the economic punishment they’re taking.”

Cruz wasted little time attacking Trump.

“Donald Trump is no different from politically correct leftist elites,” Cruz said in a statement. “Today, he joined them in calling for grown men to be allowed to use little girls’ public restrooms. As the dad of young daughters, I dread what this will mean for our daughters – and for our sisters and our wives.

“He has succumbed to the Left’s agenda, which is to force Americans to leave God out of public life while paying lip service to false tolerance.”

Tribune News Service