As the highest-ranking Republican in the House, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is the favorite to take over as Speaker of the House if Republicans secure a majority in the 2022 midterms.
But in a recent Fox News interview, McCarthy appeared to admit that former President Donald Trump wants to take over that position, thus becoming second in line for the presidency. The Constitution doesn't mandate that the House Speaker be a member of Congress, though Trump would be the first unelected official in the position.
When asked by Fox News' Brian Kilmeade about the possibility, McCarthy's answer was evasive.
Watch below.
Here's the McCarthy speaker comment, with subtitles:pic.twitter.com/xeigDfE4dY— Andrew Solender (@Andrew Solender) 1624114914
The House GOP leader said:
"I've talked to President Trump many times. He tells me he wants to be Speaker and I think he should be President."
McCarthy's team later told Mediaite he meant to say Trump "wants me to be Speaker," but Trump has expressed interest in the idea before. With Florida gaining a Congressional seat, some—like right-wing media personality Wayne Allyn Root—have suggested Trump run for a House seat in Florida, and—upon victory—become Speaker to immediately impeach President Joe Biden.
Trump has called the idea "interesting" and said it might be "easier" than running for Senate, but it's unclear at this point if Trump will even run for President.
McCarthy's response made waves across social media.
McCarthy making sure the idea \u201cTrump\u2019s on the ballot in 2022\u201d is taken literally and seriouslyhttps://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Allan Smith (@Allan Smith) 1624113562
I\u2019ll be laughing at this all day https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Kirsten Noelle (@Kirsten Noelle) 1624113128
Trump as \u2018speaker\u2019 ??\n\nHe can\u2019t fkg speak!https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Ann is still European \u2665\ufe0f Half Magnetised \ud83e\uddf2 (@Ann is still European \u2665\ufe0f Half Magnetised \ud83e\uddf2) 1624185739
The idea of Trump holding onto power by appointment to another leadership position without the hassle of running for election is very Putinesquehttps://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Don Moynihan (@Don Moynihan) 1624117427
McCarthy\u2019s gotta be exhausted\u2026 Trump\u2019s water is soooo xtra heavy.https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Dennis Herring (@Dennis Herring) 1624113276
Some said a Trump effort for Speaker would be a gift for Democrats hoping to preserve their narrow majority in the House past 2022.
One way to make the 2022 elections about Trump would be for Republican candidates to answer whether they\u2019d support him for speaker if they win the majority, and for Democrats to make their animating message in part about keeping Trump from being speakerhttps://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@Edward-Isaac Dovere) 1624114642
The DCCC must love this push by Trump, it\u2019s going to work wonders for them on keeping the liberal base engaged.https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Bradley P. Moss (@Bradley P. Moss) 1624113204
\u201cthis ad was paid for by the democratic congressional campaign committee\u201dhttps://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Allahpundit (@Allahpundit) 1624113668
With McCarthy clarifying he meant to say Trump wants him to be speaker, it\u2019s like choose your own adventure for midterm voters. \n\nI suspect both sides will use the unlikely prospect of a Trump speakership to rally bases. More of an incentive for Ds, which explains clarification.https://twitter.com/ryanstruyk/status/1406251158939869186\u00a0\u2026— Jonathan Allen (@Jonathan Allen) 1624125856
Given the GOP's fealty to Trump, it's hard to imagine a scenario where Republican representatives unite against him as Speaker if he publicly claims he wants the job.
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