I am not understanding your point. Are you saying that because Cruz didn’t say the words First Amendment, he was wrong? Or what exactly?
He blamed them. If he blamed them for what they did, then he was blaming them for violating people’s rights. So you allow yourself to make assumptions about what Trump means, but you don’t extend the same thing to Cruz? And then Cruz is wrong? Not so.
It's what Cruz and the other 2 Establishment/donor-owned candidates DIDN'T say.
Cruz wasted 3 minutes of valuable interview time and avoided defending your right to free speech. It doesn't matter what he talked about. He could have spent the 3 minutes talking about Heidi's favorite recipe, for all i care.
It's what he DIDN'T say in those 3 minutes that speaks volumes about who he is and who he is not. If his priority isn't on defending the 1st amendment, so be it. I'm sure it won't be the last time he puts himself and his donors' wishes ahead of you and me.