Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump shocked the political world on October 24th when he publicly opposed House Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s bid for House speaker. This comes as a surprise, considering Trump had previously stated he would not involve himself in the race for the position. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump criticized Emmer’s qualifications for the role, claiming he was not a true “warrior” or supporter of the “America First” movement.
“I have many wonderful friends wanting to be Speaker of the House, and some are truly great warriors. RINO Tom Emmer, who I do not know well, is not one of them,” Trump wrote. He accused Emmer of prioritizing his own political interests over loyalty to the Trump movement, claiming Emmer spent more time defending Ilhan Omar than supporting Trump himself. Trump suggested that Emmer’s recent embrace of Trump’s policies may be disingenuous, questioning whether it was motivated solely by the desire to win the speaker position.
Trump Says No to Tom Emmer for Speaker 👇https://t.co/X1Go7AXCbn
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) October 24, 2023
Emmer had faced fierce competition from eight other Republicans in the race and emerged as the nominee for speaker after multiple rounds of secret ballots. However, with more than two dozen GOP holdouts, Emmer’s chances of securing the necessary 217 votes to win the gavel are uncertain. Trump’s public opposition to Emmer’s candidacy has added another obstacle for the Minnesota representative.
This reversal by Trump highlights his ongoing influence within the Republican Party and his ability to shape the party’s direction. It demonstrates that, despite leaving office, Trump remains a force to be reckoned with in the conservative political landscape. As the speaker race continues to unfold, Emmer will have to navigate the challenges posed by both Trump and the dissent within his own party.
