John Boehner Reacts to Ted Cruz’s Refusal to Endorse Donald Trump: “Lucifer Is Back.”

The former speaker of the House resurrects his well known hatred of Cruz.

Pete Marovich/ZUMA

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


As Republicans booed Sen. Ted Cruz during his prime-time convention speech in which he refused to back Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president, John Boehner reportedly watched the unfolding events and remarked, “Lucifer is back.”

The comment, which was made public by Boehner’s former spokesman, revives the well-documented animosity between the former speaker of the House and the former presidential hopeful. Throughout the Republican primary, Boehner made it clear that he would never vote for Cruz, deeming him “Lucifer in the flesh” and a “miserable son of a bitch.” As for Trump, Boehner has said the two were “texting buddies.”

On Thursday, Cruz remained defiant in his refusal to endorse Trump, saying he was not a “servile puppy dog” who could support a candidate who attacked his wife and father. He also said he would not vote for Hillary Clinton.

PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

payment methods

PLEASE—BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate