Cruz emerges as Trump’s next challenger

U.S. TV & print news, November 11 – December 14, 2015

New York, December 15, 2015. As the Republicans prepare to debate again, Ted Cruz has emerged as Donald Trump’s strongest challenger as Ben Carson’s media image took a hit, according to new research from Media Tenor International.

“The spotlight on Trump has continued since the last debate due to his anti-Muslim comments,” says Racheline Maltese, a researcher at Media Tenor. “Despite the heavy media criticism this has spawned, it has not hurt his poll numbers as Trump has framed himself as anti-establishment and anti-mainstream media.”

Maltese noted that Cruz’s rise has been the result, in part, of his efforts not to alienate Trump voters. “Cruz has been more cautious about speaking out against Trump than some of the other candidates. Combined with strong polling numbers in Iowa, he has a strong position going into tonight’s debate."

In the national election, Media Tenor found that Hillary Clinton has a slight edge, but that it has not been consistent over the last weeks. “The media are nearly as critical of her as of Trump,” says Maltese.

This research examined all 4,335 reports on political figures on three U.S. TV news programs and in eight print publications from November 11– December 14, 2015.

For over 20 years Media Tenor’s mission has been to contribute to objective, diverse and newsworthy media content by bringing together the diverse parties. Media Tenor’s global research projects include analyses of election campaigns, investor relations, public diplomacy, corporate communications and other topics critical to news makers and news audiences. For more information, please contact Racheline Maltese at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +1 212-935-0210.