Well, that didn’t take long.
A few hours after House Republicans nominated House Majority WHIP Tom Emmer to be the new Speaker of the House, President Trump spoke out against him.
Trump called Emmer a “globalist RINO,” warning that electing him speaker of the House “would be a tragic mistake.”
From Fox News:
“I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great Warriors,” Trump posted on his Truth Social Tuesday.
Trump endorsed Jordan, R-Ohio, to serve as speaker of the House earlier this month.
“RINO Tom Emmer, who I do not know well, is not one of them,” Trump said. “He never respected the Power of a Trump Endorsement, or the breadth and scope of MAGA—MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
A “RINO” stands for “Republican In Name Only.”
Trump said Emmer “fought me all the way, and actually spent more time defending Ilhan Omar, than he did me.”
“He is totally out-of-touch with Republican Voters,” Trump said. “I believe he has now learned his lesson, because he is saying that he is Pro-Trump all the way, but who can ever be sure? Has he only changed because that’s what it takes to win?”
Trump warned that the Republican Party “cannot take that chance, because that’s not where the America First Voters are.”
“Voting for a Globalist RINO like Tom Emmer would be a tragic mistake!” Trump posted.
Emmer, who won the House Republican nominee on Tuesday, is the third nominee since the ouster of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy earlier this month.
President Trump wasn’t the only one to come out against Emmer. Indiana Congressman Jim Banks is also against him becoming the Speaker.
Tom Emmer’s bid to be speaker in serious trouble, amid opposition from his right flank and now Trump’s attacks. Can only afford to lose four Rs but has lost 26.
Jim Banks says electing Emmer “betrays the conservative values that I came here to fight for.” pic.twitter.com/rY6grk6ybw— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 24, 2023
Trump’s comments come as Emmer’s team has been seeking to portray the majority whip as in-line with Trump. Reports say Emmer keeps an autographed photo of himself with the former president in his office.
Emmer reportedly spoke to Trump over the phone this weekend, as he announced his bid for speaker, but so did several of his opponents.
After his conversation with President Trump on Monday, he thanked him and insinuated that they had a strong working relationship.
Thank you, Mr. President.
If my colleagues elect me Speaker of the House, I look forward to continuing our strong working relationship.
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) October 23, 2023
From The Hill:
The former president’s scathing message could hurt Emmer’s chances of securing the gavel in what is already a difficult process given the House GOP’s narrow majority.
The conference on Tuesday selected Emmer — the No. 3 House Republican — as its nominee for Speaker in a secret ballot during an internal election that lasted three hours, choosing him over six other candidates vying for the job. Two Republicans withdrew their names from the race before voting began.
If all lawmakers are present and vote for a specific candidate, Emmer will need at least 217 votes.
In conference, he got 117 votes on the final ballot, while House Republican Conference Vice Chair Mike Johnson (La.) got 97. And in a roll call vote that followed, lawmakers said about 20 holdouts remained.
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