Special Poll
Trump Strongly Endorses Johnson for House Speaker
President-elect Donald Trump has given his full endorsement to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), just days ahead of a critical House vote to elect a new Speaker on Friday. Trump’s public support could play a significant role in Johnson’s efforts to secure enough votes within the divided GOP caucus.
“Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hardworking, and deeply religious man. He will make the right decisions, and we will keep WINNING. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!” Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.
The endorsement comes at a crucial time, as Johnson faces internal GOP frustrations over his handling of issues such as the year-end funding package needed to avoid a government shutdown. With the House GOP holding a razor-thin majority, Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote if all members are present.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has already announced he will not support Johnson, and other conservative hardliners remain noncommittal. This has cast uncertainty over Johnson’s path to retaining the Speaker’s gavel.
Following Trump’s endorsement, Johnson expressed gratitude, writing on X, “Thank you, President Trump! I’m honored and humbled by your support, as always. Together, we will quickly deliver on your America First agenda and usher in a new golden age for America. The American people deserve no less. Let’s get to work!”
Trump’s statement also criticized Democrats for their policies and past investigations, calling them a “very expensive sinking ship.” He urged Republicans not to squander the opportunity his victory has provided, stating, “The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration.”
While Trump’s support has bolstered Johnson’s bid, it also comes amid lingering tensions between the two over the recent funding negotiations. Trump had pushed for a debt ceiling increase tied to a short-term funding bill to prevent Democrats from using it as leverage in 2025. Johnson, constrained by Republican opposition, was unable to meet that demand. Instead, the GOP reached an internal agreement to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion, paired with $2.5 trillion in spending cuts, as part of a broader legislative agenda aligned with Trump’s priorities.
Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with past debt ceiling decisions, singling out former Speaker Kevin McCarthy for extending the debt ceiling under the Biden administration. Calling it “one of the dumbest political decisions made in years,” Trump insisted that Democrats should take full responsibility for addressing the issue during the current administration, not under Republican leadership in 2025.
The outcome of the Speaker vote will largely depend on Trump’s influence within the GOP, with lawmakers acknowledging his critical role in shaping the party’s direction. As Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) stated, “It’s going to be more up to Trump than anybody else.”