Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) has defeated conservatives and won his bid for House speaker. But before his victory, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) chose former President Donald Trump as the next House speaker as Congress convened at Capitol Hill to replace Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
My vote for Speaker of the House today?
Donald John Trump. pic.twitter.com/ajFdcHVPM5
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 5, 2023
Gaetz’s Trump vote came after he refused the former president’s call for House GOPs to unite behind McCarthy.
“It’s now time for all of our great Republican House Members to vote for Kevin,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding, “Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a great job.”
Gaetz described Trump’s endorsement of McCarthy as “sad” and the “worst Human Resources decision President Trump has ever made.” Gaetz, however, maintained that Trump’s endorsement will not change his opinion of the former president.
“Either Kevin McCarthy withdraws from the speaker’s race, or he has to wake up every morning and put on the world’s best constructive straitjacket before the beginning of every House session,” Gaetz said.
There are only two outcomes here:
Either Kevin McCarthy withdraws from the Speaker's race, or he has to wake up every morning and put on the world's best constructive straitjacket before the beginning of every House session.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) January 5, 2023
Meanwhile, President Trump acknowledged the vote in a Truth social media post. Trump posted a doctored image of President Joe Biden giving a State of the Union address, with the former president sitting in Pelosi’s old seat and Vice President Kamala Harris by his side.
In a twitter poll today the People want Donald Trump to be Speaker next to Jim Jordan if he truly won’t take on the role. https://t.co/ScP2Z1FYiA
— Aaron Hermes (@realAaronHermes) January 5, 2023
