Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Kevin McCarthy for House speaker Wednesday morning after the California Republican failed to secure the speakership in three rounds of votes so far.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump urged lawmakers to “VOTE FOR KEVIN,” an apparent rebuke of some of his most dedicated supporters, including Reps. Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert.
“Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE ‘HOUSE’ TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT,” Trump wrote. “Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB – JUST WATCH!”
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a long-time Trump supporter who nominated Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker on Tuesday, responded to Trump’s endorsement of McCarthy.
“Sad!” Gaetz said in a statement, according to Fox News. “This changes neither my view of McCarthy, nor Trump, nor my vote.”
McCarthy needed 218 to secure the House Speaker position, but only earned 203 after the first roll call. Democrat Rep. Hakim Jeffries earned 212 votes and GOP Rep. Andy Biggs earned 10 votes. Nine lawmakers also supported other candidates.
The following Republicans blocked McCarthy’s bid during the first vote:
- Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ)
- Rep. Dan Bishop (NC)
- Lauren Boebert (CO)
- Josh Brecheen (OK)
- Mike Cloud (TX)
- Andrew Clyde (GA)
- Eli Crane (AZ)
- Matt Gaetz (FL)
- Bob Good (VA)
- Paul Gosar (AZ)
- Andy Harris (MD)
- Anna Paulina Luna (FL)
- Mary Miller (IL)
- Ralph Norman (SC)
- Andy Ogles (TN)
- Scott Perry (PA)
- Matt Rosendale (MT)
- Chip Roy (TX)
- Keith Self (TX)
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
