Donald Trump, the former president, left no stone unturned in his efforts to quash Tom Emmer’s bid for the GOP speakership. Trump and his allies, unhappy with Emmer’s candidacy, began calling GOP lawmakers to express their dissatisfaction. This comes after Trump publicly criticized Emmer on his social media platform, Truth Social, labeling him as “totally out-of-touch with Republican Voters” and warning that it would be a “tragic mistake” for House Republicans to choose him as speaker. Trump’s opposition effectively ended Emmer’s hours-old speakership nomination, compounded by a considerable number of GOP colleagues who were already against Emmer’s bid.
Trump’s Displeasure with Emmer
Trump’s opposition to Emmer became evident shortly after the majority whip entered the race to lead the House GOP conference, aiming to resolve the longstanding speaker crisis. Emmer faced tough questions from fellow Republicans during a private House GOP meeting, especially regarding his past clashes with Trump. These included his decision not to challenge President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory and his opposition to Trump’s ban on transgender troops. Following Trump’s intervention, Reps. Matt Rosendale and Anna Paulina Luna announced their opposition to Emmer, even after initially supporting him privately.
Another Trump ally, Rep. Matt Gaetz, is expected to change his stance against Emmer, further contributing to the collapse of Emmer’s bid. The opposition from Trump and his allies has solidified the position of Emmer’s most determined GOP opponents, making it challenging for him to secure the speakership.
Emmer’s Reaction
During a meeting with his Republican colleagues, Emmer expressed that he believed his relationship with Trump was positive. However, after Trump publicly criticized him as a “RINO,” Emmer’s reaction was evidently negative. He thanked Trump in a public post just a day earlier, highlighting the abrupt shift in their relationship.
Emmer’s fate was sealed when, less than 30 minutes after a discussion with House Republicans, he hastily left the room and announced he was dropping out of the speakership race. His abrupt withdrawal marked the conclusion of a short-lived and contentious campaign.
Conclusion
The opposition from former President Donald Trump and several House Republicans effectively ended Tom Emmer’s quest to become the Speaker of the House, highlighting the challenges faced by the GOP in selecting their leader.
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