President Donald Trump said he is prepared to nominate a new Supreme Court justice if a vacancy opens, fueling speculation that Samuel Alito could retire in the near future.
In an interview with Fox Business, Trump said the White House already has a shortlist ready and is prepared to move quickly if one of the court’s senior conservative justices steps down.
“It could be two, could be three, could be one. I don’t know, I’m prepared to do it,” Trump said when discussing future vacancies.
At present, there are no openings on the Supreme Court.
Neither Alito, 76, nor Clarence Thomas, 77, has publicly announced plans to retire.
Still, Trump’s comments immediately intensified attention on Alito, whose age and lengthy tenure have made him the subject of recurring retirement rumors.
Trump also praised Alito in strong terms.
“Justice Alito is an unbelievable justice, and a brilliant justice,” Trump said. “He does what’s right for the country.”
The political stakes are significant.
Republicans currently control the Senate, meaning the administration would likely have a clearer path to confirming a nominee before the 2026 midterm elections than after a possible shift in congressional control.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune reportedly said Republicans could confirm a nominee before the midterms if necessary.
That has led many conservatives to view a potential retirement now as strategically favorable.
The speculation increased after reports that Alito was recently treated for dehydration after feeling lightheaded at a Federalist Society dinner.
A Supreme Court spokesperson said he was fully evaluated and returned to work the following Monday, emphasizing there was no major medical emergency.
Several names are already circulating in legal and political circles as possible successors.
Among them are James Ho and Aileen Cannon, both viewed as conservative jurists.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IO) also mentioned Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and Utah Sen. Mike Lee (R) as possible candidates, per the Conservative Brief.
Cruz publicly rejected the idea.
“I don’t want to stay out of policy fights. I don’t want to stay out of political fights,” Cruz said, explaining why he is not interested in becoming a justice.
Trump has already reshaped the Supreme Court more than any Republican president since Ronald Reagan.
During his first term, he appointed three justices, helping establish the current conservative 6-3 majority.
Another vacancy would give Trump a chance to deepen that influence for decades. The president’s comments make clear the White House is planning ahead and sees the possibility of a vacancy as a major political opportunity.
