President-elect Donald Trump called two Republican lawmakers who originally voted against Mike Johnson for speaker on Friday, a move that helped convince the pair to change their votes, giving the Louisiana Republican enough to maintain the gavel, multiple media outlets reported.

Trump spoke with Republican Reps. Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Keith Self of Texas after both cast votes for other lawmakers for speaker. Norman originally voted for Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Self voted for Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.

However, thanks to a phone call with Trump that Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., helped to arrange and a conversation with Johnson, the pair asked the clerk to change their votes to Johnson, pushing him over the finish line with a vote of 218-215.

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.