In the final hours leading up to Friday's House speaker vote, President-elect Donald Trump has intensified his efforts to secure support for Mike Johnson's reelection as House Speaker. Trump has been actively reaching out to Republican holdouts in a bid to bolster Johnson's chances.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump's interactions with lawmakers have been overwhelmingly positive for Johnson, with the exception of Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has expressed intentions to oppose Johnson's reelection.
Trump's last-minute lobbying could prove pivotal in ensuring Johnson secures the speaker's gavel in the initial round of voting. This strategic move aims to avoid a prolonged leadership election similar to the one witnessed before Kevin McCarthy's election as House speaker in 2023.
The latest developments have fostered a sense of cautious optimism within Trump's circle, with many hopeful that Johnson will clinch the speaker's gavel in the first ballot.
Sources reveal that the President-elect is closely monitoring the situation and remains actively engaged in the process. Trump has not ruled out the possibility of making additional calls on Johnson's behalf, contingent upon the outcome of the initial speaker vote.
