Trump takes credit for efforts to elect House Speaker

Former President Trump congratulated Johnson on becoming the new Speaker of the House, saying he contributed to the Republican congressman's victory.

"I want to congratulate Mike Johnson. Johnson will be a great Speaker of the House. And we're happy to support him," former US President Donald Trump told reporters in New York on October 25. "I've known him for a long time. He's an extraordinary man and leader."

Mr. Trump thanked his supporters and Johnson, adding that he himself had helped the Republican congressman win.

"This time yesterday, nobody was thinking about Mike," Trump said. "Then I spoke up and now he's the Speaker of the House. He's going to be a great Speaker again. I think you're going to be very proud."

Former President Donald Trump speaks in New York on October 25. Photo: AFP

Republicans have endured three weeks of chaos in their bid to elect House Speaker, with a series of nominees either eliminated or withdrawing.

Mr. Trump initially voiced his support for House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan as his candidate for Speaker of the House, but the congressman lost to his opponent Steve Scalise in the first round of nominations.

Scalise then withdrew and Jordan was nominated by the Republican Party for a vote in the House. However, Jordan failed to get the necessary votes in three consecutive rounds of voting and was withdrawn by the Republican Party on October 20. House Republican Deputy Leader Tom Emmer became the replacement candidate.

Three weeks of chaos in the search for a candidate for US House Speaker

However, on October 24, Mr. Trump expressed his opposition to Emmer, saying that electing this congressman as Speaker of the House "would be a terrible mistake." Emmer withdrew a few hours after being nominated, due to lack of necessary support from within the party.

After Emmer withdrew from the race, Mr. Trump praised all five candidates who announced their candidacy: Byron Donalds, Chuck Fleischmann, Mark Green, Roger Williams and Johnson.

Trump said he "would never oppose any of these five very fine, talented people." Trump noted that he had been endorsed by all five since his election in 2016 and that they "represent the best of the Republican Party."

"I strongly recommend that you support the leading candidate Mike Johnson and get things done quickly!", Mr. Trump said on October 24.

New US House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks at Capitol Hill on October 25. Photo: AFP

The US House of Representatives voted a day later to elect a new Speaker with 429 members participating. Johnson won the support of all 220 members of his party, exceeding the 215 needed to become the majority. Johnson will succeed Kevin McCarthy as the 56th Speaker of the House.

Nhu Tam (According to The Hill )

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