President Trump Friday morning blew social media kisses and best wishes at Mike Johnson, his choice for speaker of the House, just hours before the House decides his fate.
Trump acknowledged that he needs Mike Johnson as much as Johnson needs him.
“A win for Mike today will be a big win for the Republican Party, and yet another acknowledgment of our 129 year most consequential Presidential Election!! - A BIG AFFIRMATION, INDEED.MAGA!”
ADVERTISEMENT
Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump’s failed choice to become attorney general, predicted victory is at hand.
One senior Republican familiar the state of play on the speaker vote predicted it may take three ballots before Johnson clinches the 218 votes necessary to become speaker. It will take 218 votes if all members are present and voting.
It likely won’t be an hours-long, 15 rounds of begging and quid-pro-quo dealing that Kevin McCarthy endured to become speaker two years ago. His was the third shortest speakership in history.
Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky is the only GOP member who has said he will oppose Johnson for speaker when the voting begins at noon on Friday. He said on Matt Gaetz’s debut One America News Network show Thursday night that he could not be tortured into voting for Johnson.
“You can pull all my fingernails out,” Massie said. “You can shove bamboo up in them. You can start cutting off my fingers. I am not voting Mike Johnson tomorrow. And you can take that to the bank.”
Lawmakers on both sides of the Capitol are being sworn in Friday to the new 119th Congress with Republican in control of both chambers for the first time in six years.
As of Thursday night, at least 15 to 20 GOP lawmakers remained uncommitted to supporting Johnson.
But Johnson will prevail, another senior House Republican told the Daily Beast Friday morning. But added: “I don’t think it’s going to be kumbaya either.”
The Daily Beast Podcast episodes are released every Thursday. Like and download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. And click here for email updates as each new episode drops.
