Former President Donald Trump commented on House Republicans nominating him for Speaker of the House.
Trump was nominated for Speakership by several House Republicans after California Representative Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the seat Tuesday afternoon.
On Wednesday morning, the former President spoke with reporters who asked if he would accept the nomination.
“All I can say is we’ll do whatever’s best for the country and for the Republican Party,” Trump said.
Several reporters pressed the former President by asking if he would take the job.
“A lot of people have asked me about it,” he said, though noted his focus was on the 2024 presidential election, in which he holds a commanding lead over fellow Republican candidates. “If I can help them during the process, I would do it.”
Trump said there were other Republicans that would do well as Speaker of the House.
Reporter asks Trump if he would become a House Speaker: "All I can say is we'll do whatever's best for the country and for the Republican Party." pic.twitter.com/Uxj9xFhdoy
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) October 4, 2023
Another reporter noted Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ardent Trump supporter who opposed McCarthy’s ousting, had nominated the former President for Speaker of the House.
Trump reiterated he would help in any way, though his primary focus was securing the presidency in 2024.
“I’m running for President … but whatever I can do to help with regard to the Speaker,” he said.
Green suggested Trump, as Speaker of the House, would seek an end to the war in Ukraine, secure the nation’s southern border, and end politically weaponized government. A Trump Speakership would also make America energy independent again and pass Greene’s legislation which would end medical sex changes for minors and prevent biological men from participating in women’s sports, according to the Georgia representative.
“He has a proven 4 year record as President of the United States of America,” Greene wrote. “He received a record number of Republican votes of any Republican Presidential candidate!”
Texas Representative Troy Nehls also nominated the former President for Speaker of the House.
Fellow House Republicans Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Leader Steve Scalise officially announced their bid for Speakership on Wednesday.
“We are at a critical crossroad in our nation’s history,” Jordan wrote in a letter to House Republicans. “Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans.”
“I respectfully ask for your support for Speaker of the House of Representatives,” he added.
Scalise also sent a letter to House Republicans saying, “You know my leadership style I’ve displayed as your Majority Leader and Whip.”
It is with a strong sense of responsibility and purpose that I seek the House Republican Conference’s nomination for Speaker of the House.
Read my letter to my colleagues: pic.twitter.com/G6YDd2SjCD
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) October 4, 2023
“I have a proven track record of bringing together the diverse array of viewpoints within our Conference to build consensus where others thought it impossible,” the Majority Leader wrote. “We have an extremely talented Conference, and we all need to come together and pull in the same direction to get the country back on the right track.”
Shortly after the House voted to vacate the office of Speaker of the House, McCarthy announced he would not run for Speaker again.
“Unfortunately, 4% of our conference can join all the Democrats and dictate who can be the Republican Speaker in this House,” McCarthy said after his removal. “I believe I can continue to fight, maybe in a different manner.”
“I will not run for Speaker again. I’ll have the conference pick somebody else,” he added.
McCarthy is the first Speaker in U.S. history to be vacated from the seat.
