Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzSasse statement: Trump nominee who spread conspiracy theories has a ‘tinfoil hat’ Coalition of 44 groups calls for passage of drug pricing bill For the sake of our democracy, politicians must stop bickering MORE (R-Texas) said he expects President Trump
Donald John TrumpTillerson: Russia already looking to interfere in 2018 midterms Dems pick up deep-red legislative seat in Missouri Speier on Trump's desire for military parade: 'We have a Napoleon in the making' MORE's nominee to serve as the ambassador to Barbados and other Caribbean nations to face a "vigorous" confirmation process.
"I don't know the fellow. He seems to have unusual views," Cruz said Thursday through an aide, according to the Dallas Morning News.
"I expect he'll have an interesting and vigorous confirmation process."
During the 2016 presidential race, Leandro Rizzuto Jr. spread conspiracy theories about Trump's political opponents, including Cruz, CNN reported earlier this week.
He shared tweets during the GOP primary that claimed Cruz was having an affair and that his wife, Heidi, was leading an effort to merge the governments of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Another retweet from Rizzuto's account that came on the same day that Mitt Romney
Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyDems pick up deep-red legislative seat in Missouri Pawlenty departing Wall Street group as campaign rumors swirl Trump ambassador nominee spread conspiracy theories about Cruz, Kasich MORE ripped then-nominee Trump in a speech showed the former GOP presidential nominee with the word "dumbass" and claimed Romney, a Mormon, "will go to hell."
Trump tapped Rizzuto, a senior executive at Conair, last month to serve as the ambassador to Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Rizzuto's appointment requires confirmation by the Senate.
A spokesman for Sen. Ben Sasse
Benjamin (Ben) Eric SasseSasse statement: Trump nominee who spread conspiracy theories has a ‘tinfoil hat’ Senate Republicans call on Trump to preserve NAFTA Trump action on tariffs triggers GOP alarm MORE (R-Neb.) earlier this week tore into Rizzuto, saying he should "put on his tinfoil hat and visit our office with evidence for his salacious conspiracy theories and cuckoo allegations."
The White House has defended Rizzuto.
Deputy White House press secretary Lindsay Walters said Trump looks forward to his "swift confirmation by the Senate, and is confident he will be a great ambassador," according to the Dallas Morning News.
State Department spokesman Heather Nauert on Tuesday dodged questions about Rizzuto when asked about the pick.
"I've not had the opportunity to meet him at this point," she said.
"He hasn't been through the Senate yet, hasn't been through confirmation. And when there is a nominee who's named, we try not to comment on that because that person is a nominee."