President Donald Trump joked this week that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) would receive unanimous Senate confirmation if he were ever nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court, renewing speculation about potential future vacancies on the nation’s highest court.
Trump made the remarks Monday during a White House event promoting the Trump Accounts program, a savings initiative championed by Cruz that was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
While praising Cruz’s legal background, Trump suggested in a lighthearted exchange that the Texas senator would have support from lawmakers in both parties for different reasons.
“In fact, somebody said, ‘Would you ever appoint him to the United States Supreme Court?’ Because he’s a brilliant lawyer, Ted,” Trump said.
“Well, he’s the only one I can think of that’s going to get 100 votes,” the president continued. “All Republicans will vote for him, all Democrats will vote for him, because they want to get him the h*** out of the Senate.”
Trump added that if he were struggling to secure confirmation votes for a nominee, appointing Cruz would guarantee Senate approval.
The comments drew laughter from those attending the event.
There is currently no vacancy on the Supreme Court. All nine justices remain on the bench, and neither Justice Clarence Thomas nor Justice Samuel Alito has announced plans to retire.
Nevertheless, speculation about a future vacancy has continued during Trump’s second term.
During his first administration, Trump appointed Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, reshaping the Court’s ideological balance.
Speculation intensified last month after NPR reported that Alito planned to retire. The Supreme Court said no retirement announcement had been made, and NPR later retracted the report.
The episode renewed discussion about whom Trump might nominate if another seat becomes available.
According to the Washington Examiner, White House officials confirmed last week that the administration has assembled a list of potential Supreme Court candidates but declined to identify those under consideration.
Cruz has long been mentioned as a possible judicial candidate because of his extensive legal experience.
Before entering the Senate, Cruz served as Texas solicitor general, where he argued nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also previously served as a law clerk to former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, as reported by the Conservative Brief.
Trump also praised Cruz during Monday’s event, calling him “a brilliant lawyer” and saying the senator has “done a wonderful job” representing Texas.
The remarks also highlighted the evolution of the relationship between Trump and Cruz.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, the two frequently clashed, with Cruz criticizing Trump’s judicial philosophy and questioning whether he would nominate conservative judges.
After Trump won the presidency, however, Cruz became one of the administration’s strongest allies in the Senate and supported Trump’s three successful Supreme Court nominations.
Despite his legal credentials, Cruz remains one of the Senate’s most polarizing members. Supporters have praised his conservative legal background and advocacy, while critics have objected to his legislative approach and political positions.
