New York Rep. Pete King (R) on Tuesday offered his harshest words yet for Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate Republicans face tough decision on replacing Ginsburg Cruz: Trump should nominate a Supreme Court justice next week Renewed focus on Trump's Supreme Court list after Ginsburg's death MORE, slamming the Texas senator on the day of his state's primary.

"Well, first of all, in case anybody gets confused, I'm not endorsing Ted Cruz, I hate Ted Cruz, and I think I'll take cyanide if he ever got the nomination," King said to open his appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," prompting a mixture of laughs and mild exclamations from co-hosts.

King acknowledged the GOP race may move toward a contested convention in July but said that the "likelihood" was Trump would secure the nomination, suggesting Kasich "would be a good choice for vice president."