Donald Trump is hurling a truck load of mud at Ted Cruz, calling his GOP rival "a total fraud" for tactics that might have helped him finish first in the Iowa caucuses.

Trump points to a campaign memo sent out to Cruz staffers as the caucuses started Monday ordering them to tell Ben Carson supporters at caucus sites that Carson was "taking time off" from the campaign and would make "a big announcement" soon.

"Please inform any Carson caucus goers of this news and urge them to caucus for ted Cruz," the memo stated.

This was sent out from Ted Cruz- as Iowans arrived at their caucus sites to vote. #CruzFraud pic.twitter.com/tRM7KUCrSU

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016

Carson has also complained that Cruz staffers were spreading the rumor at caucus sites that he was quitting the race.

Trump tweeted Wednesday that the Iowa Republican Party "should disqualify Ted Cruz from the most recent election on the basis that he cheated- a total fraud!"

The State of Iowa should disqualify Ted Cruz from the most recent election on the basis that he cheated- a total fraud!

-- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016