During a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday, former President Donald Trump offered a backhanded compliment to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), suggesting the senator would face little opposition if nominated to the Supreme Court.
Trump, who was campaigning for Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, stated that Cruz possessed the "brilliant" legal mind and credentials suitable for the high court. However, he presented a cynical rationale for why Cruz's confirmation would be virtually guaranteed.
"The Democrats will 100% vote for it, because they hate the guy and they want to get rid of him," Trump told the crowd. "And the Republicans would 100% vote for it — because they can’t stand him. They would like to get rid of him."
Trump added that this dynamic would ensure "100% of the vote," making Cruz a Supreme Court justice without him needing to make a single phone call. This is not the first time Trump has publicly voiced this sentiment; he shared a similar reason for Cruz being an ideal candidate in July.
While there are currently no Supreme Court vacancies, a retracted report in June by NPR had suggested Justice Samuel Alito was nearing retirement. Trump has successfully nominated three justices during his presidency, cementing a conservative majority on the court that has impacted rulings on issues such as abortion and executive power.
Despite Trump's repeated suggestions, Cruz has previously stated his disinterest in a Supreme Court appointment. In April, during a Wall Street Journal "Opinion Live" interview, Cruz explained that he had declined Trump's serious consideration for all three vacancies during his term because he preferred to remain "in the arena of the political battle."
Cruz, a prominent conservative figure, is known for his robust engagement in political discourse. He infamously faced criticism in 2021 when he traveled to Cancun, Mexico, during a severe winter storm that caused widespread hardship and fatalities in Texas.