Look at it this way, I would prefer that not one more Muslim come to the USA. So Trump says what I think was common sense. He expressed his opinion clearly an succinctly. Has Cruz? Did he come out with a position anywhere near what Trump did on Muslim immigration? So if Trump walks back a few baby steps, which I do not agree with him doing that, he is still WAY out in front of everyone else.
About the response I would expect........