Ted Cruz has triggered turmoil within the Republican Party after recordings emerged in which the US Senator from Texas criticised the tariff strategy of President Donald Trump and called Vice President J.D. The recordings also have Cruz accusing Vance and White House adviser Peter Navarro of blocking a potential trade agreement with India, Axios reported. Cruz is among the Republican senators who have opposed the tariff regime introduced by Trump after he assumed office in January 2025. In the recordings, Cruz reportedly recalls a discussion with Trump over the issue that ended abruptly, with the President allegedly responding with an expletive directed at the senator. Beyond trade, Cruz accused Vance and Carlson of orchestrating the removal of former national security adviser Mike Waltz, who supported bombing Iran.

Source: The Telegraph January 26, 2026 05:09 UTC