Trump Jokes Cruz’s Unpopularity Would Guarantee Supreme Court Confirmation

Key points

• Trump stated that Cruz’s low approval ratings would ensure bipartisan support for a Supreme Court nomination, as Democrats would vote for him to remove him from the Senate and Republicans would do the same to get rid of him.
• The comments were made during a campaign stop for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is facing a tight midterm race against Democrat James Talarico.
• Cruz has previously declined three Supreme Court offers from Trump, citing a desire to remain in the political arena rather than the judiciary.
• Trump previously floated the same idea in July, noting that Cruz’s credentials make him a strong candidate despite the political friction.

Background

This remark occurs amid a fierce Texas Senate race where Cruz is actively campaigning for Paxton, despite not being on the ballot. Recent archive coverage highlights Cruz’s aggressive support for Paxton to counter Democratic challenger James Talarico, as well as his controversial remarks regarding Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. The Supreme Court currently has a conservative majority established by Trump’s previous three appointments, and all seats are currently filled.

Why it matters

The comment highlights the deep political animosity surrounding Cruz within his own party and the Democratic opposition, while also illustrating Trump’s strategy of using Supreme Court nominations as political leverage or jokes during tight midterm campaigns. It underscores the tension between Cruz’s public persona and his actual political standing.

What to watch

Cruz is expected to continue campaigning for Paxton in the Texas Senate race, while Trump may continue to use the Supreme Court topic as a rhetorical device to criticize Cruz or bolster his own narrative regarding judicial appointments.