As reported earlier today, Ted Cruz held a press conference today to speak about the cease and desist letter he received from Donald Trump’s lawyers demanding he stop running ads depicting Trump as “pro-choice.”

Well, Cruz made sure he got the last laugh, and then some.  He distributed copies of his camp’s epic response to Donald Trump at his press conference.

(source: @JessicaTaylor)

In conclusion, I would be remiss if I didn’t explicitly state the obvious: The truth is an absolute defense to a defamation claim.  Therefore, your client has no legal basis to demand that our campaign cease airing the ad, and your demand for “prompt written assurances” that we have pulled the spot will not be forthcoming.  To the contrary, we now plan to air the ad with greater frequency.

I can’t think of a response more brilliant than this.

Why did Trump even think for a second he could take on Ted Cruz and not pay for it?  I know the guy is used to being a world class bully, but he’s also stood up on a debate stage with Ted Cruz enough times to know this is not the guy you want to engage in a pissing contest.

So, not only did Cruz NOT entertain Trump’s asinine request, not only did he provide copies of the hilarious letter from Trump’s attorney, Cruz then handed him his a** in a response and again provided press copies for the amusement of the masses.

And that would have been enough to win the round, but Cruz didn’t stop there.  Just to add insult to injury, Cruz distributed one more handout to the press.  It was simple, but so genius.

Another Cruz handout: list of Trump donations pic.twitter.com/1roPEkmKfJ

— Katie Glueck (@katieglueck) February 17, 2016

“The Real Donald Trump.”

A list of 30 monetary donations Donald Trump has given to Democrat politicians or organizations, ranging from $1,000 to $116,000.

Most notably: $116,000 to both the New York Democrat Party and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.  $50,000 to Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Obama’s hometown Chicago and Obama’s former chief of staff.  And in case you aren’t already thoroughly convinced: $46,050 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

It continues to raise the question: are Trump supporters ACTUALLY conservatives?  A true-to-life conservative would look at this list and immediately know that their values would not match up with the candidate who made these donations.  A true conservative would not be willing to abandon their principles in exchange for some ridiculous notion of “outsider status” or star power.

Trump’s strategy could not have backfired worse.  Maybe the mindless drones supporting him won’t care, or even understand any of this.  But if there’s one thing narcissists hate, it’s egg on their face.  And Donald Trump desperately needs a napkin.