Trump Floats Idea of Nominating Ted Cruz to Supreme Court

President says Cruz would easily win confirmation from both parties.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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At a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas, President Donald Trump said he was considering nominating Republican Senator Ted Cruz for a future seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, though Cruz had previously stated he was not interested in the position.

Why it matters

This unexpected announcement by the President raises questions about the political dynamics between Trump and Cruz, as well as the potential implications for the Supreme Court's ideological balance if Cruz were to be nominated and confirmed.

The details

During the rally, Trump praised Cruz as "an amazing guy" and joked that he would easily win confirmation from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress because they want to "get him out of there." Trump referred to Cruz as "a pain in the a--" but also "so good and so talented."

  • On February 27, 2026, President Trump made these comments about nominating Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court at a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, who made the unexpected announcement about potentially nominating Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court.

Ted Cruz

The Republican Senator from Texas, who Trump said he was considering nominating for a future Supreme Court vacancy, though Cruz had previously stated he was not interested in the position.

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What they’re saying

“He's the only guy I know, he'll get 100% of the Democrat vote, 100% of the Republican vote. They want to get him out of there. He is such a pain in the a--, but he's so good and so talented.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (USA TODAY)

What’s next

It remains to be seen if President Trump will follow through on this suggestion, and whether Senator Cruz would accept a Supreme Court nomination if offered.

The takeaway

This unexpected announcement by President Trump highlights the ongoing political dynamics between the two Republican leaders, and raises questions about the potential impact on the ideological balance of the Supreme Court if Cruz were to be nominated and confirmed.