Donald Trump Donald John TrumpTrump says Kim not responsible for Otto Warmbier's death: 'I will take him at his word' Trump: I 'trust' Kim's promise he won't resume nuclear, missile tests Trump blasts Cohen, but 'impressed' with collusion comments MORE is wading into a potential 2018 Republican Senate primary fight in Texas, saying former Gov. Rick Perry is a "popular guy" and would "do well" if he were to challenge Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzBeto O'Rourke likely to announce presidential bid soon: report Cornyn less popular than Cruz in Texas: poll Trump unleashing digital juggernaut ahead of 2020 MORE.

"I’ve been hearing a lot about that, and I don’t know if he wants to do it, but boy, will he do well. People love him in Texas, and he was one great governor," Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, said Tuesday during a fundraiser in Austin, Texas, that Perry also attended.

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The billionaire's comment about a potential primary fight between Cruz and Perry was posted online Wednesday by the Lone Star Project, a Democratic group.

Trump — who didn't criticize Cruz or specifically back Perry — said that while he doesn't know Perry's plans, he is "one popular guy all over, but in Texas in particular."

His remark comes a week after the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling released a survey that had Perry beating Cruz in a hypothetical primary match-up by 9 percentage points.

Cruz isn't up for reelection unit 2018, but speculation is mounting that he'll face a primary fight after he refused to endorse Trump during his speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland last month.

In response, Trump floated starting a super-PAC to defeat his former presidential rival after the two men traded increasingly personal barbs as they fought for the GOP's presidential nomination.