GOP rebels switched votes to Johnson after Trump’s 11th-hour calls, pushing him over the finish line
President-elect Trump appears to have helped Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., avoid a messy, drawn-out battle to lead the House.
Trump spoke by phone with both Reps. Ralph Norman, R-Texas, and Keith Self, R-Texas, after they initially voted for people other than Johnson for speaker, two sources familiar with the matter told Fox News Digital.
Self and Norman were seen disappearing into a side room with Johnson and others after the roll call was completed but before the vote was formally closed.
They emerged a few minutes later and announced that they would both vote for Johnson – sealing the victory for the Louisiana Republican.
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Speaker Mike Johnson was re-elected to lead the House of Representatives with the support of President-elect Donald Trump. (AP/Getty)
Self then confirmed to reporters that he had several phone conversations with Trump on Friday.
“I talked to him a few times today,” Self said. – We had a lively discussion.
Self did not elaborate much further on the content of the discussion.
But two people who spoke to Fox News Digital said Rep. Nancy Mace, RS.C., put Trump in touch with Self and Norman by phone after they voted against Johnson.
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Two people said Rep. Nancy Mace linked the withdrawal to Trump. (Getty Images)
Mace would not comment, but Fox News Digital saw her and Johnson hugging on the House floor after they and others were in a side room with those who abstained.
She was also earlier seen having intense conversations with Norman outside the hall.
Norman also later confirmed to reporters that he spoke with Trump on Friday.
Johnson won the Speakership of the House of Representatives in the first round of voting, after initially appearing set to lose.
Rep. Keith Self confirmed he spoke with Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
With Self, Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., each voting for people other than Johnson, the speaker’s gavel didn’t seem to reach.
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But House leaders have not officially suspended the vote while they figure out a way forward. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers were told to come to the House immediately in preparation for a second vote.
However, that second vote did not take place, and Johnson was sworn in as speaker on Friday afternoon.
