On the eighth ballot for U.S. Speaker of the House, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) nominated former President Donald Trump for House Speaker. A non-House member can be selected as Speaker, though the practice is very uncommon. Still, a number of high-profile conservatives have called for Trump to be voted in as Speaker, including Steve Bannon and General Michael Flynn.
Gaetz had previously stated that he would nominate former President Trump for House Speaker while speaking beside him at a Florida rally. The Florida congressman again voted for Trump on the ninth ballot, on which McCarthy was once again defeated with no defections.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert also switched things up in nominating Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK).
In response to the vote, “#TrumpForSpeaker” began to trend on Twitter.
BREAKING: #TrumpforSpeaker is TRENDING on Twitter after @mattgaetz endorsed @RealDonaldTrump for #HouseSpeaker. #Speakerofthehouse pic.twitter.com/XYBBPELdi9
— National File (@NationalFile) January 5, 2023
The proposal, while seen by many as a long shot, has indeed received support from a number of key conservative figures, including former Trump White House strategist and War Room host Steve Bannon.
“It’s all about money and power. That’s why right now we have to stand up and say ‘no, it can’t be McCarthy. If it can’t be McCarthy, then who’s it gonna be?’” Bannon said Thursday.
“My vote, is Trump. Bring him in for 100 days, let’s start the negotiations, let’s do the debt ceiling, spend less. Get it up front, do it now. Let’s lance the boil, let’s get down to what’s really important and stop playing games.”
BREAKING: Steve Bannon calls for a "100 DAY TRUMP SPEAKERSHIP" to "Lance the boil"
"If it can't be McCarthy, then who's it gonna be. My vote? It's Trump!" #Speakerofthehouse #SpeakerTrump pic.twitter.com/OyvW5WOMbf
— National File (@NationalFile) January 5, 2023