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.

Keep us relentless, independent, and free to read.

For 50 years, Mother Jones has offered honest, investigative reporting you can rely on:

    • Relentless in the pursuit of truth, unafraid to hold the powerful to account

    • Independent from influence or agenda from oligarchs and corporations

    • Freely accessible to every reader, never behind a paywall

But we can’t do any of this without you. Reader support powers our newsroom to stay nimble and fearless, ready for whatever story comes next. If you can, make a donation today.

Keep us relentless, independent, and free to read.

For 50 years, Mother Jones has offered honest, investigative reporting you can rely on:

    • Relentless in the pursuit of truth, unafraid to hold the powerful to account

    • Independent from influence or agenda from oligarchs and corporations

    • Freely accessible to every reader, never behind a paywall

But we can’t do any of this without you. Reader support powers our newsroom to stay nimble and fearless, ready for whatever story comes next. If you can, make a donation today.

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

INDEPENDENT. BECAUSE OF YOU.

Mother Jones has no billionaires calling the shots—just readers like you making fearless reporting possible

Donate