I think you may have really hit on something there. Just look at how people view these two men who know them personally. We can all see the guinuine affection and devotion Trump’s children have for him, while Cruz’s daughter shied away from him with a look of disgust when getting off the bus and later ran away from him onstage.
Trump’s workers are very loyal to him overwhelmingly and speak highly of him. Everyone who knows him says that he’s down to earth and a good listener. Almost everyone who works with Ted can’t stand him and does not think he is a decent or trustworthy colleague. (Contrast this too with Tea Partier Mike Pence, whom everyone who knows him seems to like.) Cruz’s roommate from college even remembers him with disgust.
Trump has tremendous numbers of friends from all walks of life. Cruz has Mike Lee (who still waited forever to endorse him).
Yep, I was thinking last night that this is like “Pride and Prejudice.” Everyone thought Darcy was prideful and rude. But everyone who worked for him and really knew him thought he was the best.