US senator warned that Republicans would lose elections if prices continue to rise, prompting president to respond ‘fuck you, Ted’

Ted Cruz warned Donald Trump, his fellow Republican, that he would face a “bloodbath” in the November midterm elections if prices continued to rise, prompting the president to respond, “fuck you, Ted,” the US senator told donors, according to a secret recording of the private conversation obtained by Axios.

Cruz reportedly delivered the reality check to the president in a phone conversation after Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs a few months after returning to the Oval Office in early 2025. The president was unhappy, Cruz said – and yelled and cursed in a conversation with Republican senators.

“Mr President, if we get to November of [2026] and people’s 401(k)s are down 30% and prices are up 10–20% at the supermarket, we’re going to go into election day, face a bloodbath,” Cruz said he told the president, according to Axios. “You’re going to lose the House, you’re going to lose the Senate, you’re going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week.”

Only 34% approve of how Trump has handled the cost of living while 64% disapprove, according to a recent New York Times/Siena poll. There is also evidence the economy may be motivating those who voted for Trump in 2024 but now disapprove of him, according to the Times.

  • EpeeGnome@feddit.onlineEnglish
    112·
    2 months ago

    Mr President, if we get to November of [2026] and people’s 401(k)s are down 30% and prices are up 10–20% at the supermarket, we’re going to go into election day, face a bloodbath

    Wow, I agree with something Ted Cruz said. That doesn’t happen often.

    fuck you, Ted

    And I agree with something Trump said? On the same day, no less. What are the odds?

      • Fedizen@lemmy.world
        19·
        2 months ago

        You ever talked a weed republican? Stingiest people on earth. I could see them not voting.

        (They used to be called ‘libertarians’ but its clear now they don’t give a shit about rights, just weed)

  • atzanteol@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    82·
    2 months ago

    "[Y]ou’re going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week.”

    Ted Cruz has more faith in Democrats than I do.

  • Chippys_mittens@lemmy.world
    811·
    2 months ago

    To be fair, I don’t know if there’s a person on earth who doesnt want to say “Fuck you Ted” to Ted Cruz. Hate Trump, don’t blame him for that one though.

  • Binturong@lemmy.caEnglish
    41·
    2 months ago

    Don’t amplify this greasy shit-weasel’s attempt to distance himself from the fascist regime he’s been taint-suckling for years. The only next Cruz headline that is relevant will be “Cruz resigns in humiliation and disgrace…”

    • dhork@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      2 months ago

      Nah, the next Presidential election is going to be Cruz vs Newsom

      • Binturong@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        Oh I completely agree, I just don’t care if he’s pulling his teensy semi about it; the important part is that he not be in the position of authority lol

  • Darkard@lemmy.worldEnglish
    28·
    2 months ago

    There is also evidence the economy may be motivating those who voted for Trump in 2024 but now disapprove of him

    “Single issue voters have been stung by the other thing he said he would do, but they didn’t listen to, because wasn’t that one thing they were bothered about.”

  • apftwb@lemmy.world
    21·
    2 months ago

    Ngl Ted being privately concerned about the midterms is the biggest “sign of life” that we will be having midterms.

    • Poop@lemmy.ca
      7·
      2 months ago

      This article is about a phone conversation in early 2025, so don’t be so sure about those elections.

    • elucubra@sopuli.xyz
      3·
      2 months ago

      Actually, Trump’s reaction may be.

      If he would have said “Don’t worry” with his trademark schoolyard mafioso wannabe smirk, then it would be worrying.

  • Treczoks@lemmy.world
    19·
    2 months ago

    you’re going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week.

    What a wonderful dream!

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.worldEnglish
    13·
    2 months ago

    We all know Raphael doesn’t have a spine, if he’s willing to say this, it means trump has already lost massive support not only from Republicans but the donors who back them.

  • fyrilsol@kbin.melroy.org
    11·
    2 months ago

    “You’re going to lose the House, you’re going to lose the Senate, you’re going to spend the next two years being impeached every single week.”

    And maybe, just maybe this time, Republicans who are getting soured on by what Trump is doing, may not protect him. McConnell will not be there this time to protect Trump.

    • kersploosh@sh.itjust.works
      18·
      2 months ago

      I hope so, but I’m not optimistic. Starting in 2016 the GOP centered their entire platform around Trump. Candidates completed to be the most dedicated Trump supporters. Republicans who weren’t on board either resigned or were largely replaced at the polls with MAGA candidates. They can’t abandon him; it would be a total identity crisis. They are going to ride the Trump train to the bitter end.