President-elect Donald J. Trump has expressed support for Speaker Mike Johnson remaining in post, potentially bolstering his chances of retaining the House gavel. Johnson, from Louisiana, faces a difficult path in the next Congress, with opposition emerging from GOP figures such as Rep. Thomas Massie, who has vowed to vote against him. Rep. Victoria Spartz also withheld direct support during a recent media appearance, voicing criticism of the party’s leadership.
“Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday as part of a longer statement blasting “professional con man and instigator” Al Sharpton, Oprah Winfrey, and others.
Trump urged Republicans to capitalize on their current momentum, noting how he carried “ALL SEVEN SWING STATES, 312 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES, AND THE POPULAR VOTE BY MILLIONS OF VOTERS… Despite large scale voter fraud taking place in numerous states, including California, where votes are ridiculously still being counted, or under review!”
The America First leader appeared to signal that his endorsement of Johnson is at least partly a matter of pragmatism, noting, “The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration,” and that the incumbent speaker “is a good, hard working, religious man.”
Trump has repeatedly indicated that he wants his next administration to hit the ground running rather than bog down in fights over appointments and other senior roles.