President-elect Donald Trump has formally declared his unwavering support for Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), just days before a critical House vote to elect a new Speaker. Trump expressed his endorsement on Monday through a post on Truth Social, calling Johnson a principled leader aligned with his vision.
“Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hardworking, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!” Trump wrote.
Trump’s endorsement is seen as pivotal, given the delicate balance within the Republican majority in the House. Johnson faces the challenge of uniting a divided GOP caucus, as he can afford only minimal defections to secure his position as Speaker.
Tensions within the Republican Party have complicated Johnson’s leadership prospects. Discontent over his handling of issues like the end-of-year funding package, intended to prevent a government shutdown, has drawn criticism. Several conservative hardliners, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), have openly opposed Johnson or refused to confirm their support.
With the GOP holding a razor-thin majority, Johnson’s margin for error is slim. If all House members are present and voting, he can afford to lose no more than one Republican vote.
In response to Trump’s backing, Johnson expressed gratitude and reinforced his commitment to advancing the “America First” agenda. “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 the new golden age of America. The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let’s get to work!” Johnson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Trump’s endorsement accompanied a broader message in which he celebrated his electoral success and criticized the Democratic Party. He accused Democrats of running a “very expensive ‘sinking ship’” and weaponizing federal agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI against him.
“BUT IT DIDN’T WORK, IT WAS A DISASTER!!!” Trump wrote. “LETS NOT BLOW THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN. The American people need IMMEDIATE relief from all of the destructive policies of the last Administration.”
The stakes of the Speaker vote have been closely tied to Trump’s influence within the GOP. Many lawmakers have indicated that Trump’s stance will significantly shape the outcome of the vote.
“It’s going to be more up to Trump than anybody else. He’s going to weigh in on it, I’m sure,” said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who, like several colleagues, has withheld commitment to supporting Johnson.
Trump’s endorsement is particularly noteworthy in light of prior disagreements between the two leaders. These tensions were most evident during negotiations over the year-end funding package. Trump had pushed for a debt ceiling increase to be included in a short-term funding bill, aiming to prevent Democrats from leveraging it later in 2025. However, Johnson was unable to fulfill this request due to resistance within the Republican ranks.
Ultimately, House Republicans reached a compromise, agreeing to raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion alongside $2.5 trillion in spending cuts. This agreement is part of a reconciliation bill designed to align with Trump’s legislative priorities while circumventing the need for Democratic support.
Despite this resolution, Trump has continued to advocate for immediate action on the debt ceiling. On Sunday night, he reiterated his stance on Truth Social, urging Republicans to address the issue before the end of President Joe Biden’s term.
“The Democrats must be forced to take a vote on this treacherous issue NOW, during the Biden Administration, and not in June,” Trump wrote. “They should be blamed for this potential disaster, not the Republicans!”
In the same post, Trump criticized former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) for his handling of the debt ceiling, suggesting that past decisions have contributed to the current predicament. “The extension of the Debt Ceiling by a previous Speaker of the House, a good man and a friend of mine … will go down as one of the dumbest political decisions made in years,” Trump said.
The interplay between Trump’s directives and Johnson’s leadership will likely define the early days of the new Congress. Johnson’s ability to navigate GOP divisions and maintain Trump’s support could determine whether he can consolidate his position as Speaker and advance the Republican agenda.
As the House prepares for the Speaker vote on Friday, Johnson faces the dual challenge of securing internal GOP unity and managing the expectations set by Trump’s public endorsement.