Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz got some support from an unexpected source on Monday.

Cruz faced a load of backlash for his comment last week about “New York values,” angering both liberals and New Yorkers, while giving rival Donald Trump a media-frenzy platform to capitalize on.

Surprisingly, former governor of New York George Pataki came to the defense of the Texas senator. Pataki, who until recently was competing against Cruz in the GOP race, posted a message on Twitter clarifying the senator’s comments.

“Any suggestion @tedcruz was referring to 9/11 is absurd – he was obviously referring to the liberal values of NY politicians,” the tweet said.

1/2 Any suggestion @tedcruz was referring to 9/11 is absurd- he was obviously referring to the liberal values of NY politicians such as…

— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) January 18, 2016

2/2 …liberal NY politicians like @BilldeBlasio @HillaryClinton @realDonaldTrump @NYGovCuomo @chuckschumer

— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) January 18, 2016

The post was met with applause and gratitude from many social media users.

@GovernorPataki Good for you Governor!

— Ben (@BenKraken) January 19, 2016

@GovernorPataki @BilldeBlasio @HillaryClinton @realDonaldTrump @NYGovCuomo @chuckschumer Thank you Gov Pataki. You are an honest man.

— Ted Cruz 2016 (@JJHLH) January 18, 2016

Boom! https://t.co/GTcG0Bpc7e

— Shane Becknell (@blakespop) January 18, 2016

@GovernorPataki @EWErickson @BilldeBlasio @HillaryClinton @realDonaldTrump @NYGovCuomo @chuckschumer Yep Trump used the 9/11 card.

— Tony Clune (@Topcat42) January 19, 2016

Gotta love the former Republican Governor of New York accurately lumping Trump in with this cast of characters. https://t.co/iddlbFS4vj

— C. Whalen Stephens (@CorieWStephens) January 18, 2016

Bravo for having the guts to say the truth! https://t.co/Aj3B4ehbLd

— The Thinking Voter (@AbieRubin) January 18, 2016

Some Twitter users did not agree with, nor even understand, Pataki’s comment.

You’re the former Governor of New York, @GovernorPataki, & you’re throwing a lifeline to a politician who insulted New York!?

— Carl Nyberg (@CarlNyberg312) January 19, 2016

@GovernorPataki @tedcruz Cruz’s mock apology to NY is accepted by Pataki. Sad very Sad

— RT (@Ou812DT) January 19, 2016

Ultimately, it was a thumbs-up for the former NY governor.

@GovernorPataki @tedcruz Huzzah!

— Harold Truman (@Maggiesdad34) January 19, 2016

@GovernorPataki @tedcruz Thank you for having the guts to tell the truth.

— gwtcfan (@gwtcfan) January 19, 2016

Thank you @GovernorPataki for speaking the truth and for being able to think for yourself, unlike many others in NY @tedcruz

— Truth Activist (@DemsRBlind) January 19, 2016

@GovernorPataki @tedcruz Thank you, Gov. Pataki! There really are adults in the room.

— Mariacka (@Mariacka) January 18, 2016

(H/T: Twitchy)

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Frieda Powers

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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