'Lousy job': GOP rep wonders if 'anybody heard a defense of Mike Johnson?'

US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) failed effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was supported by only two of her GOP colleagues — Reps. Thomas Massie (KY) and Paul Gosar (AZ).

After both Republicans and Democrats smacked down Greene's effort Wednesday, Fox News Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram shared words from Massie: "Has anybody heard a defense of Mike Johnson, from our GOP colleagues? Has anybody said he's doing a great job? What I hear is, you know, he's doing a lousy job. We just don't agree with your timing."

The Kentucky lawmaker, according to Capitol Hill reporter Juliegrace Brufke, added that "he thinks GOP colleagues who voted to table will get an 'a** whipping' from their base."

READ MORE: GOP donors say Mike Johnson’s fundraising won’t 'ever get to the level of McCarthy'

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy — although slammed for his House leadership and ousted by his colleagues in September — was known for his superb fundraising skills. According to Republican members and donors, Johnson has so far lacked in that area.

GOP donor Eric Levine told The Daily Beast earlier this week, "McCarthy was a money machine. He just had a great talent for it.

He added, "People like to donate money to winners. Now that he’s demonstrated leadership, I think you'll see a shift. I don’t think he’ll ever get to the level—maybe he will—but I don’t think he'll ever get to the level of McCarthy. But there’s no shame in that. McCarthy was just in a class of his own in terms of raising money. But I think you’ll start seeing a significant uptick."

Ahead of Greene's failure to oust the speaker, US Rep. Kelly Armstrong defended Johnson, (R-ND) telling CNN reporter Manu Raju, "I probably have the longest personal relationship with Mike Johnson of anybody here. I served with him when I got here in Congress in 2018. If Mike Johnson is not thoughtful enough, and not conservative enough to be the Speaker of the House, they have real problems because there ain't anybody else that's going to be acceptable for that job."

Following the House's rejection of Greene's motion, Pergram also tweeted Johnson's reaction, writing, "I am glad this distraction will not inhibit that important work and all the other things on the table and on the agenda for us right now. Hopefully, this is the end of the personality politics and the frivolous character assassination that has defined the 118th Congress. It’s regrettable and it’s not who we are as Americans."

READ MORE: House GOP unites behind bashing Rep. Greene’s 'failing act of political theater'

The GOP leader added, "We’re better than this. We need to get beyond it. The Speaker of the House serves the whole House, that’s the job. But I am a lifelong, movement conservative Republican and I intend to continue to govern in accordance with those core principles."

Additionally, Pergram shared that former President Donald Trump responded via social media, writing, "Trump on Truth Social on Greene's effort to oust Johnson. He asked GOPers to block Greene's gambit: 'It is my request that Republicans vote for 'THE MOTION TO TABLE.' We WILL WIN BIG - AND IT WILL BE SOON!"

READ MORE: Senate Republicans bash 'foolish' Marjorie Taylor Greene