Trump congratulates 'tremendous leader' Mike Johnson on becoming speaker

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday congratulated Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson on becoming Speaker of the House, while taking some credit for his claiming the gavel.

Johnson became speaker on Wednesday, ending the more than three-week-long Republican leadership contest that followed the unprecedented ouster of Kevin McCarthy in early October. Prior to Johnson winning the post, the GOP put forward Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, though none of the three managed to unite the conference themselves.

Speaking outside a New York courtroom on Wednesday, Trump touted the effect of his support in breaking the leadership deadlock and offered Johnson well-wishes on his new position.

"I just want to congratulate Mike Johnson. He will be a great Speaker of the House, and we were very happy to have helped," he said, per The Hill. "I've known him for a long time. He's a tremendous leader and a tremendous man."

Trump on Wednesday morning urged Republicans to back Johnson, saying "My strong SUGGESTION is to go with the leading candidate, Mike Johnson, & GET IT DONE, FAST!" He previously backed Jordan and later warned the conference against backing Emmer.

"At this time yesterday, nobody was thinking of Mike. And then we put out the word, and now he's the Speaker of the House," Trump further said outside the courtroom. "So I want to just thank all of the supporters that I have, and I want to thank all the supporters that Mike has, and again, he'll be a great Speaker. I think you're going to be very proud."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.