How Trump Saved Speaker Johnson
In a decisive moment for the GOP, President-elect Donald Trump played a pivotal role in securing Rep. Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) election as Speaker of the House, demonstrating his enduring influence within the party. According to sources, Trump personally reached out to two key Republican holdouts—Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) and Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas)—who initially withheld their support for Johnson, a move that could have jeopardized his path to the Speakership.
Rep. Norman, who had voted for Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Rep. Self, who supported Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), confirmed that they spoke with Trump on Friday afternoon after their votes remained uncertain. Both men are members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, and their resistance could have left Johnson just short of the votes needed. After their conversations with Trump, both lawmakers changed their positions, ensuring that Johnson would secure the majority vote.
Norman expressed his satisfaction with Trump’s influence, declaring, “TRUMP WAS GREAT!!” in a message to The Hill. Meanwhile, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), another initial dissenter, cast his vote for Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), though he had publicly opposed Johnson prior to the election.
Following the first round of voting, which saw all Democrats backing House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Johnson was still short of the votes needed to win. However, after meeting with Norman and Self, Johnson walked into the House chamber with both men, and shortly thereafter, they officially changed their votes to support him. This pivotal shift gave Johnson the majority he needed to win the Speakership.
Rep. Self later explained his change of heart on social media, stating that his focus was advancing the Trump agenda, particularly on issues of fiscal responsibility and deficit spending. After speaking with Johnson and receiving assurances regarding strong representation for Republicans during the budget process, he decided to back the Louisiana congressman. “My sole focus was advancing the Trump agenda,” Self wrote. “Let’s get to work!”
Trump, ever the force in Republican politics, quickly congratulated Johnson, calling his election “an unprecedented Vote of Confidence in Congress.” He praised Johnson’s leadership, promising that under his guidance, the nation would see common sense, strength, and a return to effective governance.
Despite Johnson’s victory, some GOP conservatives, including Norman, remain skeptical. A group of 11 hard-line Republicans issued a letter expressing “sincere reservations” about Johnson’s track record. However, they acknowledged that they voted for him in support of President Trump’s priorities, particularly the certification of Trump’s electors.
The path forward for Speaker Johnson is not without challenges, but the unified backing from key conservative figures and Trump’s endorsement signal a strong foundation for his tenure. As the Speaker works to navigate a divided Congress, all eyes will remain on his ability to uphold the promises of fiscal responsibility and a return to true conservative values that the GOP base expects.
