Actually, if Trump actually wins states and that state’s electors, then he throws the election to the House of Representatives. Not only is the House currently in the hands of the Republicans, but since each state receives only one vote, and since more states have a republican majority in the House, the election, in all likelihood, will be throw to the REPUBLICAN candidate.
So, it’s not awful for Trump to run third party and Cruz to be the Republican choice. That way, one or the other will be the president, probably the republican candidate.
***12th Amendment: The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; — The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; — The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.***
I understand your thinking, but what are the chances CRUZ will win the nomination?
Furthermore, I’d definitely vote for CRUZ over Trump.
Problem here is, the house can elect anyone they wish, they would not have to go with Cruz if he is the republican nominee. If the election is thrown into the house, and the house is controlled by republicans, then it is likely the establishment house will choose establishment candidate Jeb Bush.