Cruz makes ‘Muppets’ reference while avoiding criticism of Trump

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) invoked “The Muppets” Tuesday while declining to criticize Donald Trump for the GOP front-runner’s latest incendiary comments.

“There are an abundance of political pundits in the world, who, like Statler and Waldorf, assess every comment every candidate makes,” he said before a rally in Knoxville, Tenn., according to NBC News.

{mosads}“I don’t need to be another political pundit,” the 2016 GOP presidential candidate added. “I’m going to let Donald Trump speak for himself and I’ll speak for myself.”

Statler and Waldorf are a pair of Muppets who heckle the other characters from a balcony.

Cruz invoked the loudmouthed puppets Tuesday when asked if he condemns Trump’s controversial remarks about Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Trump sparked criticism Monday evening by arguing Clinton “got schlonged” by then-Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in losing the 2008 Democratic presidential primary.

He is also under fire for suggesting the former first lady took a “disgusting” bathroom break during last weekend’s Democratic presidential debate.

Cruz has repeatedly refrained from attacking Trump during the GOP’s 2016 presidential primary, arguing that strategy is unbecoming of fellow Republicans.

Trump leads the Texas senator by nearly 16 points nationwide, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls.

Cruz remains competitive against the outspoken billionaire in the early-voting state of Iowa, however. He presently edges past Trump with a 4-point lead in that state heading toward its caucuses on Feb. 1.