Republican says Trump was playing golf when president-elect urged him to shift House speaker’s votes to Johnson
Rep. Ralph Norman, RS.C., initially voted for Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on Friday, but President-elect Trump managed to convince him to change his voice – while working on his golf game.
Norman was one of three Republicans who initially refused to vote yes Mike Johnson will retain his role.
Speaking to reporters Friday, Norman said Trump called him multiple times to try to influence his vote on the speaker.
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Former President Trump hits a tee shot on the third tee during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on August 10, 2023, in Bedminster, NJ (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
In Trump’s first phone call to Norman, Trump used connections.
“He said, ‘Look, I’m in the middle of a golf game.’ That was the first time I talked to him.” Norman said, via MediaIte.
“He said, ‘Well, you voted for Nikki Haley.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir, we are with you now.’ And I said, ‘We’ll be with Mike Johnson.'”
Trump owns a number of golf courses, one of which was the site of a the second assassination attempt on his life in the summer. Trump’s USGA handicap was once only 2.5, and he claims to have recorded eight holes-in-one.
Trump also spoke by phone with Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, in an attempt to influence Self’s vote, sources told Fox News Digital.
Tail. Ralph Norman, RS.C., speaks to the press. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
He himself 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.
Rep. Nancy Mace, RS.C., put Trump in touch with Self and Norman by phone after they voted against Johnson, the sources said.
Johnson won the Speakership of the House of Representatives in the first round of voting, after initially looking like he might lose.
Self, Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., each voted for the lawmakers except for Johnson, the speaker’s gavel appears to have been unavailable.
But House leaders have not formally closed the vote as they figure out a way forward. Republican lawmakers were told to come to the House of Representatives immediately in preparation for a second vote.
Donald Trump plays golf (Getty Images)
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However, that second vote did not take place, and Johnson was sworn in as speaker on Friday afternoon.
Elizabeth Elkind of Fox News contributed to this report.
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