As President-elect Donald Trump’s influence continues to shape the Republican Party, all eyes will be on the House of Representatives this Friday when Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) seeks re-election as Speaker. Despite Trump’s endorsement of Johnson, which he offered on Monday, the Louisiana Republican’s position remains precarious with some GOP members withholding their support.
Trump’s endorsement, declaring that Johnson “will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN,” was meant to bolster Johnson’s standing as he faces a tight battle to retain the gavel. However, the Speaker's challenge is far from over. Several Republicans have publicly voiced concerns over Johnson’s leadership, including Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.), who pledged to vote for an alternative candidate. Massie’s decision stems from dissatisfaction with how Johnson has handled key issues such as government funding, Ukraine aid, and the national budget. He also suggested that Trump’s endorsement may not have the desired impact. “I respect and support President Trump, but his endorsement of Mike Johnson is going to work out about as well as his endorsement of Speaker Paul Ryan,” Massie said, accusing Johnson of teaming up with Democrats and undermining conservative fiscal priorities.
For Johnson to retain his Speakership, he can afford only one defection among his Republican colleagues, assuming all members are present and voting. With the Democratic caucus expected to back House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), the Republicans’ slim 219-member majority means Johnson will need near-unanimous support from his party to prevail.
Several other Republicans, while not outright opposing Johnson, have stopped short of fully backing him. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) expressed a desire for more discussion, particularly around budgetary concerns, while Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.) raised concerns over Johnson’s ties to the so-called "swamp." Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), chair of the House Freedom Caucus, remains undecided, despite Trump’s backing.
In an effort to shore up support, Johnson has been making calls to skeptical members, trying to win them over. However, the Speaker's efforts are complicated by the ongoing friction within his party.
The situation is further complicated by Trump’s own frustrations. Two sources close to Trump’s orbit revealed that he was unhappy with Johnson’s handling of the recent government funding package, which ended without addressing Trump’s demand for a debt ceiling increase. This friction suggests that even Trump’s influence may not be enough to overcome the divisions within the House GOP.
However, there is significant pressure for Republicans to rally behind Johnson. Some see a messy Speaker race as a distraction that could undermine Trump’s legislative agenda once he takes office. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) pointed out that Trump’s endorsement of Johnson is “art of the deal” level practicality, suggesting that the GOP must unite around a Speaker to avoid delaying Trump’s priorities.
Other influential figures are also coming to Johnson’s defense. Tech mogul Elon Musk voiced his “full support” for Johnson, and right-wing media figures, such as Breitbart News’ Matthew Boyle, emphasized that Trump’s decision on the Speaker is final and should be respected by all Republicans, regardless of their personal disagreements with Johnson.
Despite the strong backing from Trump and some conservative figures, history shows that Trump’s endorsements in Speaker races have not always swayed enough votes. In 2022, Trump’s early backing of Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) failed to secure his election as Speaker, and even after multiple rounds of voting, McCarthy only succeeded after significant negotiation and concessions.
Trump’s involvement in the Speaker race this time follows a similar pattern. After the ousting of McCarthy in October 2023, Trump initially endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), but Jordan's bid faltered amid opposition from moderate Republicans. Trump ultimately threw his support behind Johnson, who has since become the consensus candidate among Republicans. But as Friday’s vote approaches, Johnson’s hold on the Speakership will be put to the test.
With the vote looming, the question remains: Will Trump’s endorsement be enough to secure Johnson’s position, or will divisions within the GOP prevent a smooth path forward for the Speaker and for Trump’s legislative agenda? The outcome will likely shape the early days of the new Congress, with significant implications for the Republican Party’s unity and its ability to deliver on Trump’s priorities.
