President Trump may be urging this Supreme Court Justice to retire. In a new interview with Fox News, President Trump hinted he’s prepared to replace Justice Samuel Alito. Trump’s comments come as rumors have swirled that Alito will leave the bench under Trump’s presidency to maintain the conservatives’ 6-3 majority. The Hill reported more on Trump’s potential move: President Trump said he is “prepared” to name another justice to the Supreme Court if one of the older members retires. No justice has suggested that they would be stepping down from their lifetime appointments, but there has been speculation surrounding Justice Samuel Alito, 76, who was hospitalized in March. “It could be two, could be three, could be one. I don’t know — I’m prepared to do it,” he told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo in an interview that aired Wednesday. Trump praised Justice Alito, calling him “one of the great justices of all time.” “Justice Alito is an unbelievable justice and a brilliant justice and he gets the country,” Trump said. “He does what’s right for the country.” Justice Clarence Thomas, 77, is another conservative justice to watch, though there has been less speculation about his retirement. Trump said he has a shortlist of people he would nominate to the Supreme Court but added that he was not sure there would be an opening by the end of the year. The president has reportedly been interested in naming Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to the court. Watch Trump here: JUST IN: President Trump responds to speculation that he could be nominating another Supreme Court justice if Justice Alito or Justice Thomas decides to retire. "It could be two, could be three, could be one. I don't know, I'm prepared to do it." pic.twitter.com/XG66jw5ReR — Fox News (@FoxNews) April 15, 2026 CNN reported Trump talked about how former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s decision to stay on the Supreme Court despite her old age made a major impact on the Court: President Donald Trump has considered the possibility that conservative Justice Samuel Alito might step down later this year, giving him the ability to nominate a fourth justice to the Supreme Court. Trump said he has a list of potential candidates in mind if a seat opens on the nine-justice bench this year. And when asked about the importance of the possibility of Alito stepping down while Republicans are in control of the Senate, Trump pointed to how Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death in 2020 shifted the court. “Ginsburg could not do it, and she really hurt herself within the Democrat Party,” Trump told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo in an interview that aired on Wednesday. “People are very angry at her, because I got to appoint people instead of Biden.” Trump was referencing Ginsburg’s decision to remain on the court during the Obama administration. When Ginsburg died in September 2020 at the age of 87, the vacancy allowed Trump to quickly nominate and the GOP-led Senate to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett – solidifying a 6-3 conservative majority. “She decided that she was going to live forever, and about two minutes after the election, she went out, and I got to appoint somebody,” Trump said. Trump said he didn’t know whether Alito or Justice Clarence Thomas would actually step down. Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, and their decisions about retirement are often personal and shrouded in secrecy. Neither justice has indicated their plans. Alito, 76, is the second-oldest justice on the court next to Thomas, 77 – another reliable conservative. There’s been speculation for months over whether Alito will retire in time for Trump to appoint a replacement and for a Republican Senate to confirm a new justice to guarantee the seat is not blocked by Democrats and filled by a potential Democratic president in 2029.