Watch: Ted Cruz ROASTS Schumer and Pelosi's 'hostage video,' blasts Dems for forcing shutdown

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Caller, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, roasted Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi, jokingly comparing their response to President Donald Trump's national address on border security to a "hostage video."

"I gotta say, watching the Schumer/Pelosi response was one of the most frightening things I've ever seen," Cruz said. "I am pretty convinced that was an actual hostage video."

On a more serious note, Cruz explained why the Democrats have so far refused to compromise with President Trump on wall funding.

"Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are captive to the most radical, extreme strains of their base, to the far Left," Cruz said. "That's the reason why Schumer and Pelosi have forced a shutdown."

"It's important to note Schumer and Pelosi's objection to the wall is not substantive. It's not based on policy," Cruz added, noting that both Democrats have previously voted for border fencing.

"Their problem is political. Their base hates Donald Trump, and so politically, Schumer and Pelosi are forcing a shutdown because they want to appease their base," he said.

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