It is very hard to sell that to people that watched his statement right after the incident.
If you are a Cruz-hater, you will read things into what he said that just are not there.
In no way did he blame Trump for rioting in the streets, and he damned sure didn't "side with the rioters" which is the other BIG LIE twisted out of his statement.
What he DID say is that a candidate is the leader of his campaign, and that the demeanor of the candidate will set the tone of that campaign.
Unless the rioters in the streets were part of Trump's campaign, then, as Cruz said (first), the responsibility for their actions lies solely with them.