WASHINGTON – House Speaker Mike Johnson’s appearance Tuesday on behalf of former President Donald Trump has drawn backlash from some Republicans, many citing Johnson’s strong Christian views. It is listed in
“I have to admit I was surprised. @SpeakerJohnson “I want to join the ‘I cheated on my wife with a porn star’ club,” former congresswoman and ardent Trump opponent Liz Cheney said on social media site X (formerly Twitter).
Cheney, a former House leadership member who voted in favor of impeaching President Trump after the January 6, 2021 riot, also said of Johnson, “At the end of the day, he’s not that interested in teaching morals to our nation’s youth.” There doesn’t seem to be any.”
The Lincoln Project is an anti-Trump political group that includes former Republicans. said in X: “How godly Mike Johnson would show support for his wife having an affair with a porn star, paying hush money to cover it up, and falsifying business records to keep America from finding out before the election.” He’s a good person.”
The porn reference is in reference to Stormy Daniels, who testified against Trump last week.
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“My faith is reflected in everything I do,” said Johnson, who said the hush-money lawsuit and other lawsuits pending against the Republican presidential nominee are unfair, especially in an election year. He said he wants to support Trump because he believes in him.
“These trials are politically motivated and shameful,” Johnson told reporters outside a courthouse in New York City.
Johnson also attacked law enforcement officials and witnesses, including Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, and said he was “disgusted” by efforts to “keep Trump off the campaign trail.”
Other prominent Republicans also attended on Trump’s behalf.
Mr. Johnson was one of several prominent Republicans who traveled to New York to support Mr. Trump, who is restricted by judicial order from commenting on the trial.
Trump’s backers include Republican vice presidential candidates such as Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum.
Mr. Johnson, who was elected speaker of the House of Representatives in 2023 to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy, is particularly indebted to Mr. Trump. Former President Johnson has defended him against efforts led by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him.
