Speaker Mike Johnson’s political future hangs in the balance after a chaotic government funding battle left President-elect Donald Trump questioning his loyalty and effectiveness ahead of the January 3 speaker vote.
“No one thinks he’s strong. No one says, ‘Damn, this guy’s a fighter,'” a Trump insider recently told reporters. There are reports of growing dissatisfaction at Mar-a-Lago with Johnson’s leadership.
Johnson’s troubles began when he unveiled a spending deal without Trump’s demanded debt ceiling increase. After that plan collapsed, Johnson failed to deliver votes on a revised version that Trump publicly endorsed.
“The president is upset — he wanted the debt ceiling dealt with,” said one Trump adviser. “In the past couple weeks, we’ve questioned whether [Johnson has] been an honest broker.”
With Republicans holding a razor-thin 219-215 majority, Johnson can only lose one vote to retain the speakership. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-K.Y., has already announced his opposition.
“If somebody challenges Johnson, you’re not going to get any pushback,” a Trump adviser said, suggesting the president-elect won’t intervene to save the speaker. Potential replacements include Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer.
Trump views the unresolved debt ceiling as leverage Democrats could use against his agenda.
“He brings it up in every conversation — he says the debt ceiling is going to be the thing that Chuck [Schumer] uses,” an insider explained.
Johnson ultimately passed a slimmer spending bill 366-34 with Democratic support, avoiding a holiday shutdown but leaving Trump’s debt ceiling concerns unaddressed.
The move prompted Trump to post “We’ll see!” on social media when asked about Johnson’s future.
Some Republicans warn that a speaker fight could delay certification of Trump’s victory and his legislative agenda. But Trump’s team made clear: Johnson’s survival depends entirely on the president-elect’s perception of his strength and loyalty in the coming days.