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Trump: 'Cruz Really Went Wacko Today'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump ripped Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, after capturing the Indiana primary.

The two GOP contenders got into a heated back-and-forth Tuesday after Trump rehashed unsubstantiated claims that Cruz's father, Rafael Cruz, appeared in a 1963 photograph with John F. Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald -- citing a report first published by the National Enquirer.

"You know, his father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being -- you know, shot," Trump told Fox News. "I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous. What is this?"

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He continued, "Right prior to his being shot and nobody even brings it up. I mean, they don't even talk about that. That was reported and nobody talks about it."

In response, Cruz called Trump "utterly amoral."

"This man is a pathological liar. He doesn't know the difference between truth and lies. He lies practically every word that comes out of his mouth," Cruz told reporters.

Following the primary win, Trump said Cruz went "wacko today."

"Wow, Lyin' Ted Cruz really went wacko today. Made all sorts of crazy charges. Can't function under pressure – not very presidential. Sad!" Trump tweeted.

Trump said Cruz needs to drop out after losing the Hoosier State primary.

"Lyin' Ted Cruz consistently said that he will, and must, win Indiana. If he doesn't he should drop out of the race-stop wasting time & money," the billionaire tweeted.

According to CBS News, Trump now has 1,034 delegates of the 1,237 needed to secure the Republican nomination. Cruz is second at 562.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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