Rep. Thomas Massey (R-Ky.) appears to object to President-elect Trump’s criticism of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Twitter, calling him a ‘potato’ like President Biden.
“I respect and support President Trump, but his support for Mike Johnson would be just as effective as his support for Speaker Paul Ryan,” Massey wrote in a post to X on Monday.
Massie issued this tweet not long after Trump offered his full and utter support for Johnson earlier on Monday.
The House is scheduled to vote on a new speaker Friday, and Trump’s endorsement was seen as a pivotal moment for Johnson.
Trump said Johnson was a “wonderful, hard-working, religious man” and that he believed the Louisiana lawmaker “will do the right thing.”
Massey has publicly said he will not support Johnson, and Trump’s support is unlikely to sway him.
In his post Monday, Massey claimed Johnson collaborated with Democrats to send money to Ukraine to fight Russia, “authorized surveillance of Americans” and that the Speaker blew the budget.
In a follow-up tweet Monday, Massie wrote: “Democrats have ignored the fact that Joe Biden is a potato for months. They have convinced themselves that keeping him around is a practical way to win. Too late, they are czars. Republicans are doing the same thing by keeping Mike Johnson Speaker. “I’m doing it.”
If Massie votes against Johnson, the Speaker may grant Johnson one more vote if all House members are present.
Several other conservatives have not committed to voting for Johnson.
Massie previously told The Hill that he would not support Johnson “because of all the frustration we had this summer when we were trying to leave.” He also said the recent continuing resolution was another reason to chastise Mr Johnson as speaker.
