Trump: Senate would confirm Ted Cruz for Supreme Court 'to get rid of him'

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Oct 28, 2026

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President Donald Trump predicted the Senate would unanimously confirm Sen. Ted Cruz for a potential Supreme Court seat because both Democrats and Republicans would love “to get rid of him.”

Continuing his odd streak of putting down some GOP allies, Trump regaled the crowd at a Texas rally by needling Cruz for being famously unpopular with his fellow lawmakers from both sides of the aisle.

“I wouldn’t even have to make a phone call. The Democrats will 100% vote for it because they hate the guy and they want to get rid of him,” Trump said. “And the Republicans would 100% vote for it because they can’t stand him.”

“So if we ever have a situation, and I’m having a little problem with approval, we just put Ted,” he added.

Cruz has occasionally been mentioned as a possible Supreme Court nominee if one of nine justices steps down, although the confirmation process could be very fraught if Democrats retake the Senate in next week’s midterm congressional elections.

Justice Samuel Alito has said he plans to serve through the high court’s current term that ends next summer, and Justice Clarence Thomas has not responded to questions about whether he might retire.

Trump also needled Texas Republican Ken Paxton for his less-than-impressive physical appearance, a running presidential joke in recent weeks that would not seem to be the optimal strategy to help the GOP candidate eke out a win in his closely watched Senate race.

He noted that Paxton’s physique compares unfavorably to that of other Republican candidates like Ohio Sen. John Husted, a former college football star.

The backhanded compliments to his supposed allies came as Trump continues to barnstorm red states in hopes of helping Republicans rescue their endangered candidates in the face of a blue wave of Democratic enthusiasm fueled by the president’s deep unpopularity.

In a remarkable split screen moment, Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico addressed a packed house at another venue across town in Lubbock and claimed a similar turnout to Trump’s rally in the deep-red West Texas city.

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