Trump endorses Jim Jordan for House speaker

Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) in the House speaker race.

“Jim, his wife, Polly, & family are outstanding — He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” Trump wrote on Truth Social early Friday, calling the House Judiciary Committee chairman a “star” who is “respected by all.”

Jordan and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) have both put their names forward as candidates for the speakership in the aftermath of Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) unprecedented removal from the post earlier this week. 

With Trump’s backing, Jordan is now the likely front-runner in the race. 

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), who previously vowed to nominate the 77-year-old former president for the vacant speakership post, first revealed Trump’s decision in a tweet Thursday, and he now says he intends to “fully support” Jordan’s bid. 

“Just had a great conversation with President Trump about the Speaker’s race,” Nehls wrote. “He is endorsing Jim Jordan, and I believe Congress should listen to the leader of our party.”

“I fully support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House,” he added. 

Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.) echoed his Republican colleague.  

“President Trump has endorsed Judiciary Chairman [Jim Jordan] for Speaker of the House. I believe we should listen to the leader of our party,” Moore tweeted, shortly after Nehls’ post. “I know Chairman Jordan will help us get real wins for the American people, and I fully support him for Speaker of the House.” 

Trump stamping his seal of approval on Jordan’s speakership bid comes just hours after the 2024 Republican presidential primary front-runner revealed that he would accept a short-term role as speaker of the House “if necessary” to unite the GOP.

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

Trump noted that he’d be willing to fill the role for a  “30, 60, or 90-day period,” but that his primary focus is his presidential campaign.  

The former president also told the outlet that he will travel to Washington and meet with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, when the GOP conference will hold a candidate forum to discuss potential options for the vacant speakership position.  

The full House is expected to begin the election process the following day and continue until a new speaker is chosen.

Several GOP lawmakers who have expressed strong support for a Trump speakership, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Greg Steube (R-Fla.), have not yet publicly switched their allegiances to Jordan. 

Trump, who is facing 91 charges across four criminal cases, is ineligible for the speakership post under current House GOP rules, which bars Individuals with felony indictments from serving in the role — but the rules could be altered to clear the way for a Trump speakership.

The Trump campaign and Jordan’s office did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.