Donald Trump Jr. launched a blistering attack on Senator Ted Cruz Wednesday, accusing the Texas Republican of dishonesty over his opposition to the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding for reconstruction investment. In a post on X, the president's eldest son declared that Cruz was “lying thru his teeth” about the deal and failing to support the MAGA agenda.
“The only problem with this quote is that @tedcruz is lying thru his teeth about the deal. We’re not giving them a cent and he knows that. Using fake news about the peace deal to undermine @realDonaldTrump is the opposite of MAGA,” Trump Jr. wrote.
Cruz had earlier described the MOU as “ill-advised” and warned that it would “not remotely” serve American interests. “History teaches that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is not a good idea. I think the president is receiving some very poor advice on this deal,” Cruz told The Hill.
The MOU establishes a $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran’s infrastructure. President Trump has repeatedly stated that the U.S. government will not contribute any money, telling reporters at the G7 summit in France that Washington won’t put “10 cents” toward the effort. “We have the right to go in some day and do, if I want to do something, or if somebody wants to do something, but we are not investing any money,” Trump added.
Despite Trump’s assurances, Reuters reported that companies from the U.S., Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America, and Africa have already pledged to finance more than half of the $300 billion fund. Payouts are slated for the energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transport sectors. Critics, including a number of Senate Republicans, have also objected to provisions that allow Tehran to retain its missile systems and sell oil quickly, viewing the deal as too lenient.
The internal GOP rift mirrors broader tensions within the party over Trump’s approach to Iran. Several GOP senators have blasted the MOU as a ‘JCPOA-Plus’ blunder, while Trump has defended it as a provisional arrangement and threatened renewed bombing if Iran violates terms. The president has described the deal as a temporary measure, keeping military options on the table.
Trump Jr.’s broadside underscores the high stakes for Cruz, who is seen as a potential rival within the party. By accusing Cruz of spreading “fake news,” the younger Trump is signaling that any Republican deviation from the administration’s line on Iran will be met with fierce pushback from the MAGA base.
