It’s been quite clear that Ted Cruz is not a popular guy in Washington—from extreme examples like Sen. Lindsey Graham joking about how to get away with murdering him, to benign statements expressing discontent with the Texas senator like former President George W. Bush saying ‘he just doesn’t like the guy.’
Enter John Boehner, former speaker of the House, whose latest comments about Cruz suggest he not only doesn’t like him—he loathes him.
When asked about Cruz at Stanford University on Wednesday, Boehner reportedly made a face of disgust before saying, “Lucifer in the flesh.”
“I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life," he added.
Boehner described other Republican candidates as friends. In particular, the former speaker said he has played golf with Donald Trump for years and that they were “texting buddies.”
His friendship with Ohio Governor John Kasich, however, was a little more ambiguous.
“[Kasich] requires more effort on my behalf than all my other friends … but he’s still my friend, and I love him,” Boehner said.
Boehner said that if Trump becomes the Republican nominee he would vote for him, but added that he would not do the same should Cruz get the nomination.
Cruz used the comments in a Twitter response on Thursday, painting Boehner and Trump as part of the establishment.
Tell me again who will stand up to Washington? Trump, who's Boehner's "texting and golfing buddy," or Carly & me? https://t.co/qvYPSaTEV7
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 28, 2016