Evangelist Franklin Graham has criticized ex-House Speaker John Boehner for referring to Republican presidential contender Ted Cruz "Lucifer in the flesh," saying such name calling is an "embarrassment to our nation."
"Former Speaker of the House John Boehner shame on you!" the 64-year-old evangelist wrote in a recent Facebook post. "You had no business calling Ted Cruz 'Lucifer in the flesh'-this is an embarrassment. And it's an embarrassment to our nation."
On Wednesday, the former speaker unloaded on Cruz before a crowd at Stanford University, describing the Texas Senator as a "miserable son of a b****" and comparing him to Satan.
"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 b**** in my life," he said, according to The Stanford Daily.
Boehner also revealed he's played golf with GOP front-runner Donald Trump, describing them as "texting buddies." He said that while his relationship with Ohio Gov. John Kasich "requires more effort," they are nevertheless friends "and I love him." He also said he'd vote for Trump in a general election, but would never vote for Cruz.
Continuing his Facebook post, Billy Graham's son expressed frustration over Boehner's inability to keep his opinions to himself.
"Then lowering yourself further by calling him a SOB? I'm not endorsing Cruz or any other candidate, but your verbal rant at Stanford is beneath the public office you were elected to hold," he wrote. "The Bible warns us to watch our tongues, 'The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body' (James 3:6)."
In an interview with Fox News' Megyn Kelly Thursday evening Cruz responded to Boehner's comments.
"I don't know John Boehner. He and I have never worked together," he said. "If you think John Boehner is the kind of leader you want running in the Republican party, then Donald Trump is your guy."
Cruz later told reporters he's "never worked" with Boehner, explaining that he's only met the former speaker "two or three times."
"Boehner's comments reveal everything that is wrong with Washington," Cruz said.
Fox News notes that Boehner's successor, Paul Ryan, on Thursday asserted that he does not share those negative views about Cruz.
"I have a much better relationship" with the senator, Ryan told reporters, when asked about Boehner's remarks.
