Former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz called President-elect Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of House Speaker Mike Johnson a strategic move, comparing it to Trump’s famed negotiation tactics outlined in his book The Art of the Deal. Gaetz shared his thoughts on X, framing the endorsement as a necessary and pragmatic decision to unify Republican leadership.
Gaetz, a prominent Republican figure and staunch Trump ally, emphasized the practicality of Trump’s endorsement in the context of party unity and the evolving dynamics within the GOP.
“Trump endorsing Johnson is “art of the deal” level practicality,” Gaetz wrote. “We could never have held up McCarthy two years ago for concessions if a Trump certification hung in the balance. Now, it does.”
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The former congressman explained that the ability to challenge former Speaker Kevin McCarthy stemmed from waning enthusiasm among Republican voters for a leadership style that appeared to align too closely with the Democratic agenda.
“Republican voters weren’t all that eager to see us getting back to being Biden’s bitch (which Kevin ultimately did anyway),” Gaetz added, taking a swipe at McCarthy’s leadership during Biden’s presidency.
Gaetz called resistance to Johnson’s leadership “futile” and urged Republicans to rally behind him. Trump’s endorsement of Johnson, a conservative ally, has further solidified his position in the GOP leadership hierarchy.
“Let’s work to make him the best version of himself (which was more like the 2023 vintage of Mike),” Gaetz said, expressing hope that Johnson will embrace the conservative principles that led to his rise as Speaker.
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President-elect Trump’s endorsement of Johnson comes at a time when the GOP is grappling with internal divisions over government spending and legislative priorities. Trump praised Johnson as a “good, hardworking, religious man” who would uphold the values of the Republican Party and deliver relief from the policies of the previous administration.
Johnson, who succeeded McCarthy as Speaker in October 2023, has faced criticism from some within the party over his recent support for a government spending bill. However, Trump’s backing has bolstered Johnson’s standing among Republicans, making it increasingly difficult for dissenters to challenge his leadership.
As the Republican Party prepares to govern under Trump’s leadership, figures like Gaetz are calling for unity and focus on advancing conservative goals. With Trump’s endorsement solidifying Johnson’s position, the party appears poised to consolidate its agenda and align behind its leaders.
Gaetz’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among Trump-aligned Republicans: that the party must leverage its newfound strength to deliver on campaign promises and maintain voter trust.
The challenge now lies in balancing the priorities of a diverse GOP coalition while navigating the expectations of a Trump-led government. For Johnson, with Trump in his corner, the opportunity to reshape Republican leadership and policy is within reach.
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