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The vote to elect the new speaker of the House of Representatives became a real soap opera after the “rebellious” Republicans stood their ground and refused to give their vote to Kevin McCarthy who on more than one occasion came close to rising like the new speaker.
The former president of the United States, donald trumpasked through his social network to “vote for Kevin”, however, his call was ignored, but what apparently some Republican “rebels” could not ignore was the call that the also presidential candidate made to them during the 14th voting round.
Person close to Trump says he placed a call to Gaetz and other members at a key time, right after they had voted to adjourn; A number of those members switched their votes after Trump began reaching out, the person says.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) January 7, 2023
The New York Times reported that Donald Trump called representative Matt Gaetz, who was leading the anti-McCarthy caucus after he voted “present” and not “McCarthy” which cost the now-Speaker of the House of Representatives victory.
According to the aforementioned medium, the call from Trump would have influenced Gaetz to agree to continue another round of voting which McCarthy ultimately won after nearly four days of suffering for the sledgehammer.
CNN reported that Trump made a call to Rep. Andy Biggs, who, like Gaetz, said “present” on the 15th ballot instead of voting against McCarthy. The final Republican holdouts switching to a “present vote” lowered the threshold of votes needed to win and allowed McCarthy to secure the seat.
McCarthy had nothing but praise for Trump after the closure of the Chamber “I don’t think anyone should doubt his influence. She was with me from the beginning ”. He added that the former president was “all in” and that he would “call me and call others” while he “helped get those final votes.”
Trump posted a message in support of McCarthy on Truth Social shortly after the final vote “the ‘Speaker’ selection process, crazy as it sounds, has made it so much bigger and more important than if it were done in the more conventional way. Congratulations to Kevin McCarthy and our great Republican Party!”.