News/Commentary

Trump meets with Speaker Mike Johnson at Mar-a-Lago

November 22, 2023 | | Print Article

With eyes on the campaign trail, a Mar-a-Lago meetup united the former president and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.)

While the 2024 presidential primaries have garnered much of the spotlight for the election cycle, with former President Donald Trump seeking a third shot at the nomination, down-ballot candidates are also working for support heading into the spring and ultimately the general election. During a fundraiser for one such legislator at Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida resort, the influential GOP frontrunner was caught meeting up.

Commentator Benny Johnson posted an image from Monday with the caption, “Speaker Mike Johnson met with President Trump at Mar-a-Lago after releasing entirety of J6th tapes.”

“All smiles.”

According to multiple reports, including from ABC News senior reporter Katherine Faulders, the speaker was on site at the president’s residence as part of a fundraising event for fellow Republican congressman, Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

“House Speaker Mike Johnson met tonight with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago during a fundraiser for Rep. Gus Bilirakis, sources tell me @lauren_peller & @LaleelIbssa,” Faulders posted on X. “This is the first time the two have met in-person since Johnson was elected Speaker.”

ADVERTISEMENT

While the topic of discussion for the meeting had not been disclosed, the following day the president reasserted his praise for the speaker having released the footage from Jan. 6, 2021, when the U.S. Capitol had been breached.

“Congratulations to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson for having the courage and fortitude to release all of the J6 tapes, which will reveal completely what really happened on Jan. 6,” Trump said in a video posted on Truth Social. “Thank you very much, Mike. Great job!”

During a recent interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Johnson affirmed that he had thrown his hat in with the one-time commander-in-chief seeking a return to the White House and said, “I have endorsed him wholeheartedly.”

ADVERTISEMENT

“He had a phenomenal first term. His first two years, as you all know, we brought about the greatest economic numbers in the history of the world, not just the country,” the speaker contended, “because his policies work. And I’m all in for President Trump.”

Though not an initial backer of Trump during the 2016 cycle, Johnson supported the president during his administration, particularly when it mattered most during the impeachment proceedings orchestrated by the Democratic Party first in 2019. As the speaker had himself put it, he was “one of the closest allies President Trump had in Congress.”

Upon Johnson’s election to the speakership, Trump had said to the press outside a New York City courtroom, “I just want to congratulate Mike Johnson. He will be a great speaker of the House, and we were very happy to have helped. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a tremendous leader and a tremendous man.”

“At this time yesterday, nobody was thinking of Mike. And then we put out the word, and now he’s the speaker of the House,” the president added, touting his influence. “So I want to just thank all of the supporters that I have, and I want to thank all the supporters that Mike has, and again, he’ll be a great speaker. I think you’re going to be very proud.”

Kevin Haggerty
Latest posts by Kevin Haggerty (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles