Conservative New York Times columnist Brett Stephens on Tuesday delivered a scathing review of Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump previews SCOTUS nominee as 'totally brilliant' Cruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Texas), calling the former GOP presidential candidate "a serpent covered in Vaseline."

Stephens, who has long opposed President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE and his supporters, did not mince words in an interview with fellow Times opinion columnist Gail Collins, saying he "depise[s]" Cruz.

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"He’s like a serpent covered in Vaseline," Stephens explained. "Because he treats the American people like two-bit suckers in 10-gallon hats."

"Because he sucks up to the guy who insulted his wife — by retweet, no less," he continued, referring to Cruz's support of Trump following the president's tweet comparing Cruz's wife's appearance to Melania Trump Melania TrumpThe Hill's Campaign Report: Trump faces backlash after not committing to peaceful transition of power FBI director casts doubt on concerns over mail-in voting fraud Trump: 'We could hardly hear' boos, chanting at Supreme Court MORE's.

"Because of his phony piety and even phonier principles," Stephens said. "Because his ethics are purely situational. Because he makes Donald Trump look like a human being by comparison."

"Because his fellow politicians detest him, and that’s just among Republicans," he said. "Because he never got over being the smartest kid in eighth grade."

"Because he’s the type of man who would sell his family into slavery if that’s what it took to get elected," Stephens, who has aligned himself with "never-Trump" conservatives since the beginning of Trump's presidential campaign, added. "And that he would use said slavery as a sob story to get himself reelected."

Stephens earlier in the interview expressed support for Cruz's opponent, Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE (D-Texas), noting he likes "the idea that Texas can turn a bit purple if you have a candidate with energy, wit and a human touch."

Recent polls have shown Cruz leading O'Rourke by a narrow margin, a surprising feat for a Democrat in deep-red Texas.

Cruz on Monday evening was chased out of a Washington, D.C., restaurant by protesters opposed to Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.