Ted Cruz borrowed a movie quote to jab Donald Trump for threatening his wife

Mike Stone/ReutersUS Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz at a campaign rally in Dallas on February 29.

Ted Cruz seemed to use a movie quote^[1] on Wednesday to fight back against GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump in the candidates' latest feud, which centers on the candidates' wives.

"She is way out of his league," Cruz told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos on "Good Morning America."^[2] "If he wants to get in a character fight, he should stick with me."

The line was nearly identical to one used in the 1995 film "The American President."

In a memorable scene, President Andrew Shepherd, who was portrayed by Michael Douglas, said the following:

You want a character debate, Bob? You better stick with me, 'cause Sydney Ellen Wade is way out of your league.

Fast forward to 3:03 of the below clip to catch the bit from "The American President":

It wouldn't be the first time Cruz used a dated pop-culture reference in a spat with Trump, if he did indeed lift the line from the movie. In previous dustups he has cited Janet Jackson^[3], the 1970s TV show "Happy Days^[4]," and the hit 1980s song "Maniac.^[5]"

The latest feud between Trump and Cruz started late Tuesday night as votes were being tallied in Utah and Arizona, when Trump tweeted the following:

Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2016^[6]

That tweet came minutes after^[7] Trump deleted a similar threatening tweet toward Cruz's wife, Heidi. The ad Trump is referring to came from an anti-Trump super PAC that has no affiliation with Cruz. It showed Trump's wife, who had a successful modeling career, posing in a nude photo shoot for British GQ.

The ad read^[8]: "Meet Melania Trump, your next first lady. Or you could support Ted Cruz on Tuesday."

Cruz fired back within minutes:

Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you're more of a coward than I thought. #classless https://t.co/0QpKSnjgnE^[9][10]

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 23, 2016^[11]

Trump then shot back at Cruz on Wednesday morning, following his "Good Morning America" interview.

"Lyin' Ted Cruz denied that he had anything to do with the G.Q. model photo post of Melania," he tweeted^[12]. "That's why we call him Lyin' Ted!"

Watch Cruz's interview on "Good Morning America" below:

SEE ALSO: Donald Trump threatens to 'spill the beans' on Ted Cruz's wife^[13]

NOW WATCH: Watch Cruz attack Trump for threatening to 'spill the beans' on his wife^[14]

References

1. ^{^} use a movie quote (twitter.com)
2. ^{^} on "Good Morning America." (abcnews.go.com)
3. ^{^} Janet Jackson (twitter.com)
4. ^{^} Happy Days (twitter.com)
5. ^{^} Maniac. (twitter.com)
6. ^{^} March 23, 2016 (twitter.com)
7. ^{^} tweet came minutes after (www.businessinsider.com)
8. ^{^< /sup>} ad read (www.businessinsider.com)
9. ^{^} #classless (twitter.com)
10. ^{^} https://t.co/0QpKSnjgnE (t.co)
11. ^{^} March 23, 2016 (twitter.com)
12. ^{^} tweeted (twitter.com)
13. ^{^} Donald Trump threatens to 'spill the beans' on Ted Cruz's wife (www.businessinsider.com)
14. ^{^} Watch Cruz attack Trump for threatening to 'spill the beans' on his wife (www.businessinsider.com)