Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump made his opinion known on October 24th, voicing his opposition to House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s bid for House speaker. This is a surprising turn of events, as Trump had previously stated that he would not get involved in the race for the position. Taking to his social media site, Truth Social, Trump criticized Emmer’s qualifications for the role, stating that he is not a “great warrior” and has shown a lack of respect for Trump’s endorsement and the principles of MAGA.
Trump highlighted Emmer’s history of opposing him, even going so far as to defend Ilhan Omar more than the former president. He questioned whether Emmer’s newfound support for Trump is genuine or simply a calculated move to win votes. Trump emphasized that the Republican Party cannot afford to take a chance on a candidate who may not truly represent America First voters.
Trump Says No to Tom Emmer for Speaker 👇https://t.co/X1Go7AXCbn
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 24, 2023
Emmer won the nomination for speaker through a series of secret ballots, defeating eight other Republicans. However, his path to victory may not be easy, as he will need to secure 217 votes, with more than two dozen GOP members expressing their opposition. Trump had initially stated that he would stay out of the speaker race, but his recent reversal indicates the significance he places on the outcome.
Throughout his presidency, Trump and his base have raised concerns about Emmer’s stance on issues such as gay marriage, the debt ceiling agreement, and the Electoral College. Emmer’s certification of the 2020 election, which Trump claims was stolen from him, further deepened the divide between the two. Additionally, Emmer’s endorsement by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy has been viewed as a sign of establishment support.
As the race for House speaker heats up, all eyes will be on Emmer and the potential impact of Trump’s opposition. With a significant number of GOP holdouts, Emmer’s path to victory is far from certain. The Epoch Times reached out to Emmer’s office for comment but has yet to receive a response. Only time will tell whether Emmer can overcome the obstacles in his path and secure the gavel.
