I am amused that Donald Trump is once again reminding voters that Ted Cruz was born in Canada.

Before speaking at a rally on Monday night in Lowell, Massachusetts, Trump stated, “Republicans are going to have to ask themselves the question: ‘Do we want a candidate who could be tied up in court for two years?’ That’d be a big problem.”

Yet it was only four months ago just as the two were to appear together at a rally on Capitol Hill opposing the Iran nuclear deal when Trump told reporters, “I hear it was checked out by every attorney and every which way and I understand Ted is in fine shape.”

There are two ways to explain his statement. First, Trump didn’t mean a word of it, but wasn’t willing to insult Cruz to his face before the rally. Second, it must be remembered that at the time Trump was leading Cruz in Iowa by a 3-1 margin. Last September, Cruz was polling at 9% in Iowa.

Needless to say things have changed. It’s been awhile since a poll has come out of Iowa, but I’m Trump’s people are doing their own internal polling and he’s probably doing very badly. Trump is afraid of being embarrassed by Cruz in Iowa. Why else would he suddenly now give a damn about Cruz being born in Canada when he wasn’t 4 months ago?

Apart from making a “jump the shark” reference from Happy Days on Twitter, Cruz has not commented on Trump’s latest salvo. Smart move. By not responding, it makes Trump look like he’s desperate for attention.

Like me, Ted Cruz is amused with Donald Trump’s Canadian caper. The last thing Trump wants is for Cruz to be amused by him.