Bulwark Takes – "Trump Floats Putting Ted Cruz on the Supreme Court"
Host: The Bulwark
Date: March 1, 2026
Overview
In this episode, The Bulwark team unpacks a Texas rally by Donald Trump that generated several headline-worthy moments. Most notably, Trump publicly floated the idea of appointing Senator Ted Cruz to the Supreme Court, congratulated embattled Congressman Tony Gonzalez under controversial circumstances, and suggested—again—the possibility of a "bonus" third presidential term. The commentator also dives into Trump Media and Truth Social's staggering business losses, offering sharp, irreverent analysis with trademark Bulwark wit and skepticism.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Trump’s Texas Rally: Setting the Scene
[01:30]
- The commentator opens with a recap of Trump’s Texas rally:
- Anticipation surrounded a potential endorsement in the Senate race, with mention of political infighting among Republicans and Democrats.
- Trump ultimately did not make an endorsement at the event.
- The focus swiftly moves to more remarkable moments from the rally, especially regarding Sen. Ted Cruz.
2. Trump Floats Ted Cruz for the Supreme Court
[03:04] – Trump quote:
“We have a senator who’s really an amazing guy. I’m thinking about putting him on the Supreme Court. … He is such a pain in the ass, but he’s so good and so talented.”
- Trump publicly proposes considering Ted Cruz for a Supreme Court slot.
- The commentator wryly notes:
- "Oh, boy, do I want a podcast competitor in the Supreme Court." [03:30]
- Comments explore the intra-party dynamics: Cruz as the 'anti-Vance,' more neocon, pro-Israel, contrasted with the MAGA/‘isolationist’ Vance wing.
- "He’s always speaking his internal monologue…"
- Discussion on Trump’s transparency, often blurting out what he’s really thinking rather than keeping secrets.
- Speculates Trump is “signaling to us that there’s conversations happening with Thomas and Alito about getting one of them to retire so they can be replaced with an ideological ally while Trump is still in the White House.” [04:24]
- Notes Clarence Thomas’s longevity and possible historical ambitions, but suggests Samuel Alito could be considering stepping down.
"A real test of Chuck Schumer’s cojones…would be if the Democrats took the Senate, and then Trump tries to replace a Supreme Court justice. Could he McConnell it? Could he sit on it? Something to think about." [05:35]
3. Texas Political Scandals: Tony Gonzalez and Dan Crenshaw
[06:46]
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Tony Gonzalez, entangled in a personal scandal, is greeted with “Congratulations” by Trump at his home-state rally.
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The commentator critiques:
- "Congratulations for what exactly? Is it congratulations that his gomar killed herself? Or was it congratulations that he’s still… A lot unclear what the congrats [are] for. Do not congratulate. Probably should have been on the card there for Tony Gonzalez." [07:04]
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Notes strategy in other Texas primaries:
- Invites listeners in Dan Crenshaw's district to consider tactical voting in the GOP primary against Crenshaw, citing his behavior as "a lying prick...pretending like he’s the responsible one while just being a total Trump sycophant." [07:41]
- Remarks that ousting Crenshaw could make the seat more attainable for Democrats.
4. Trump Repeats “Bonus Term” Notion
[08:31] – Trump quote:
“Maybe we do one more term. Should we do one more term? … Well, we’re entitled to it. Because they cheated like hell in the second. We would actually be entitled to it.”
- Commentary is skeptical but concerned:
- "He’s old and struggling and this seems like a bit at this point, but I have always said one of the biggest risks of Trump is…feeling cornered politically, feeling cornered, maybe even legally, feeling cornered, his mind starting to deteriorate even more. Who knows what such a person might try to decide to do." [08:43]
- Warns that Trump floating the "third term" is troubling, even if half in jest.
5. Truth Social’s Financial Disaster
[09:38]
- A Friday night filing revealed that Truth Social’s parent company, Trump Media & Technology Group, made only $3.7 million in revenue for 2025.
- The bombshell: The company lost $712 million in the same period.
"That's like the amount of revenue you make from your two Sweetgreen franchises in a year. Your Jack in the Crack franchise in Skokie, Illinois, is bringing in that kind of money." [10:30]
"Trump Media Technology Group…brought in $3.7 million in revenue and lost $712 million. 712 million in the red for Truth Social." [11:11]
- Analysis is unsparing:
- Calls it "a criminal enterprise” and "an utterly incompetently run organization."
- Criticizes those who framed Trump as a businessman able to “fix the economy”:
“The businessman we need running this country is somebody who has a company that brought in $3.7 million in revenue and lost $712 million. … If it wasn’t so dark, it’d be really funny, but here we are." [12:36]
Memorable Quotes & Moments
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On Ted Cruz for the Supreme Court
"He is such a pain in the ass, but he’s so good and so talented." – Donald Trump [03:20]
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On the internal politics of Supreme Court retirements:
"He wants his own position in the history books, maybe more than he cares about Trump, maybe I don’t. I have no inside info… So maybe it’s Alito." [04:55]
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On Tony Gonzalez scandal:
"Do not congratulate. Probably should have been on the card there for Tony Gonzalez." [07:11]
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On Trump’s business acumen:
“You could fake it and do better than this… I could pretend to be a Trump supporter and start a blog that made more than $3.7 million.” [11:50]
Timeline / Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment | |---|---| | 01:30 | Recap of Texas rally, Senate race context | | 03:04 | Trump floats Ted Cruz for Supreme Court | | 03:30 | Commentator dissects Trump’s motivations | | 06:58 | Trump congratulates Tony Gonzalez, scandal context | | 07:41 | Tactical voting in Dan Crenshaw’s primary | | 08:31 | Trump floats “bonus term”; commentator responds | | 09:38 | Truth Social/Trump Media massive financial losses | | 12:36 | Closing critique on Trump’s “businessman” myth |
Tone and Style
The episode is sharp, irreverent, and deeply skeptical toward Trump and the MAGA wing. The commentator delivers biting political analysis, often with humor and sarcasm, but maintains a focus on substantive implications—especially around the Supreme Court and the persistent underperformance (and alleged corruption) of Trump’s business enterprises.
Final Thoughts
This fast-paced episode encapsulates the unending turbulence of the Trump-era GOP, with the Bulwark’s team providing context, analysis, and mockery in equal measure. If you missed the rally or the filings, this episode lays out the political implications with clarity and a sense of urgency that matches the relentless pace of the modern news cycle.