Trump open to temporary House speakership 'if necessary,' plans to visit Capitol Hill

Former President Donald Trump said he would accept the post of Speaker of the House on a short-term basis "if necessary."

“I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress,” Trump told Fox News Digital. “If they don’t get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the Speakership until they get somebody longer-term, because I am running for president.”

“They have asked me if I would take it for a short period of time for the party, until they come to a conclusion — I’m not doing it because I want to — I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision,” he added.

Trump also told the outlet he plans to visit the Capitol next week.  This lines up with earlier reports given by anonymous sources to The Hill and Politico.

Texas GOP Congressman Troy Nehls announced Thursday that multiple members of Congress are willing to give nomination speeches for former President Donald Trump to be the next Speaker of the House. 

"I’ve been contacted by multiple Members of Congress willing to support and offer nomination speeches for Donald J. Trump to be Speaker of the House," Nehls wrote on X, formerly called Twitter.

Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted by eight House Republicans as House speaker earlier this week. Many of them initially opposed McCarthy's speakership, and cited recent budget negotiations as the reason for ousting him.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Oh.) and Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) both announced Wednesday that they would be running to be the next speaker.