U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during a campaign rally for U.S. Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, U.S., August 21, 2026.
President Donald Trump has spent the first two years of his second term focused on decorating and foreign policy, leaving domestic issues to House and Senate leaders. If there are huge losses in the GOP, however, that might mean Trump must train a new leadership team.
According to some White House staffers, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is being referred to as a kind of co-president, NOTUS reported on Monday.
Johnson’s close relationship with Trump has gone beyond the typical partisan goals. Trump has even joked that Johnson effectively has two jobs: president and speaker. Johnson is often needed to secure votes for Trump's legislation.
“Some on his staff have said, ‘No, it’s really like you’re co-president,’” Johnson told NOTUS. “Because the president and I speak all the time.”
The rest of his members don't always see it that way, however. NOTUS cited members storming out of rooms and slamming doors on him. Then there are the lawmakers who block GOP legislation or refuse to vote along party lines altogether.
Johnson said he doesn't care.
“I don’t get my feelings hurt. I never do,” Johnson claimed. “With leadership comes attacks and, you know, defamatory remarks and all. That’s just part of the job. You’re going to be criticized no matter what you do.”
Quoting the Bible, Johnson said he doesn't do the job for "man" but for the "responsibility."
While he claims his feelings don't get hurt, he's open to punishing members who don't play with the team. He cited close to “100 members who have come forward with ideas” on how to change House rules to target fellow Republicans he can't control.
“That’s the cart before the horse,” he added. “I mean, when we are organizing for the next Congress, I suspect there will be some proposed amendments to the rules to try to adjust that.”
While Johnson has been out campaigning aggressively for vulnerable House Republicans, it isn't merely to keep his job as Speaker, but to secure a position in House leadership if Republicans lose the House in the November midterm elections. If Republicans retain the House, Johnson’s grip on the speakership is likely secure. However, if the GOP loses, NOTUS said that it believes House Republicans think there will be a leadership scramble involving potential contenders such as Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Tom Emmer (R-Mn.).
“In the political burn down that’s coming, we slaughter everybody at the front of the room,” claimed a senior GOP member when speaking to NOTUS.
Some in the leadership said that they don't think that Johnson will run for the minority leader post if the GOP loses in November.
But Johnson doesn't think it'll be a problem. His comments remain optimistic about 2026 election wins, at least publicly.