Trump renews joke about nominating Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court
Donald Trump joked at a rally in Lubbock, Texas, that he could nominate Senator Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court, calling him a “brilliant” lawyer. The remarks revive Trump’s repeated speculation about Cruz joining the court and come as Justice Samuel Alito has said he may reconsider retirement in 2027.
Trump said he expected both Democrats and Republicans to back Cruz because they disliked him and wanted him out of the Senate, predicting unanimous support and saying Cruz would do a good job. Cruz has no desire to serve as a justice, and has said Trump seriously raised the prospect during his first term. Trump appointed Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett to the court, but has since criticised conservative justices when rulings went against his priorities.
In short
- Trump joked about nominating Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court.
- He predicted both parties would support Cruz to remove him from the Senate.
- Cruz has said he does not want to join the court.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A Cruz nomination could bring a lawyer with substantial public experience and a conservative legal outlook to the Court, and Trump’s past appointments show he has chosen justices who shifted its direction. Supporters might see the joke as a plausible way to fill a future vacancy with someone likely to interpret the law in line with their principles, while removing a prominent senator from a closely divided Senate.
The case against
A Supreme Court appointment should be based on judicial qualifications, independence and willingness to serve, rather than political convenience or loyalty to a president’s priorities. Cruz has said he does not want the role, and critics could argue that talk of unanimous support because senators want him out trivialises the confirmation process and risks weakening confidence in the Court’s impartiality.
Explained simply
The US Supreme Court is the country’s highest court. Its justices interpret the Constitution and federal law, and their decisions can affect policies across the country.
The president nominates people to fill vacancies, but the Senate must approve each choice. Ted Cruz is a Republican senator from Texas and a lawyer; Donald Trump has appointed three justices during his time as president.
A seat becomes vacant when a justice leaves, often through retirement. Samuel Alito has said he may reconsider retiring in 2027, but no vacancy or nomination has been announced.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Trump dangles Supreme Court seat for ‘Lyin’ Ted Cruz as he issues brutal backhanded compliment”.