Trump's last-minute plea failed to make any difference in Kevin McCarthy 4th unsuccessful try for House speaker
- Trump repeated his endorsement of Kevin McCarthy to become the next speaker of the House.
- The ex-president warned his fellow Republicans of what can happen if more chaos ensues.
Former President Donald Trump's morning plea for House Republicans to put their differences aside and make Kevin McCarthy the next House speaker failed to budge any votes for McCarthy and resolve the chaotic voting that's brought all other work in the chamber to a standstill.
"It's now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth.
Hours later, 20 House Republicans still voted to support Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida Republican, with one more GOP lawmaker voting present. That sends the speaker contest to a fifth ballot.
Trump's words of support came less than a day after he told NBC News that "we'll see what happens" after McCarthy failed to win the speakership on three different ballots, the most votes it has taken to determine the gavel since 1923. Trump had previously given McCarthy his blessing for the leadership race.
"REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT," Trump added in his message before Wednesday's vote.
Former Vice President Mike Pence also sought to buck up McCarthy.
"Urging Every Republican in @HouseGOP to support my friend, Kevin McCarthy as the next Speaker of the House," Pence wrote on Twitter.
As many as 20 Republicans voted for another Speaker candidate during the three successive votes. Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, one of the most vocal anti-McCarthy lawmakers, went so far as to suggest McCarthy is a "squatter" since he moved into the speaker's office without actually securing the job. Trump also failed in his other major GOP leadership push to oust Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
House lawmakers are expected to continue voting this afternoon. Until a speaker is selected, lawmakers cannot finish the basic formalities of starting a new Congress, including swearing in members.
While Trump continues to boost McCarthy, the former president took another swipe at McConnell. President Joe Biden and McConnell will hold a joint event later today to hail how the bipartisan infrastructure bill will help replace a major crumbling bridge connecting Kentucky and Ohio. Despite selecting her for his cabinet, Trump also continued to use a xenophobic slur in reference to former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, who is also McConnell's wife.
"The harm they have done to the Republican Party is incalculable," Trump said of McConnell and Chao.
McConnell recently said that Trump's political standing was "diminished."