In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Ohio congressman Jim Jordan for the position of speaker in the House of Representatives. This comes after the ouster of Kevin McCarthy, making the vacancy one of high importance. Jordan, a longstanding loyalist and founding member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, is expected to succeed McCarthy after voting takes place next week. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his support for Jordan. He referred to him as a "STAR" long before his successful journey to Washington, DC representing Ohio's 4th Congressional District.

Trump stated, "He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!" This endorsement from Trump further demonstrates his control over the Republican party and his effort to push it further to the right. House Republicans have been deeply divided, and Trump has been urged by some to lead them in the lower congressional chamber, a suggestion he entertained after McCarthy's removal as speaker. The announcement of Trump's endorsement came after Texas congressman Troy Nehls revealed that the former president had chosen to back Jordan for the position.

Nehls, who had been advocating for Trump to run for the post himself, stated that the ex-president had ultimately decided to support Jordan. Jordan is one of two leading candidates vying for the speakership, with the other being Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana. Both candidates are striving to secure the 218 votes required to win the job, and they need the support of both the far-right and moderate factions of the party. It remains unclear whether Trump's endorsement will push Scalise, the current GOP majority leader, out of the race, or if either candidate can reach the threshold of votes necessary.

If no current candidate is able to garner the necessary support, Nehls has indicated that he would turn to Trump once again. He stated, "Our conference is divided. Our country is broken. I don't know who can get to 218." This suggests that Trump's involvement in the race could continue to be a pivotal factor. Trump's endorsement of Jordan has raised speculation about his potential visit to Capitol Hill next week ahead of the speakership vote. Trump confirmed his trip in an interview with Fox News Digital, stating that he would travel on Tuesday to meet with Republicans.

This would mark his first visit to the Capitol since leaving office and since the events of January 6, 2021, when his supporters attacked the building in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful transition of power. Jordan's close alignment with Trump and his involvement in contentious investigations into prosecutors who charged the former president have ignited controversy. Nevertheless, his support among Trump loyalists remains strong, and his reputation as a hard-right conservative makes him an appealing choice for those looking to maintain a staunchly conservative agenda in the House.

As the vote for speaker approaches rapidly, the Republican party must navigate its fractured state and find a candidate who can unite the various factions. Trump's endorsement of Jordan adds an interesting dynamic to the race, and it remains to be seen how this will influence the final outcome. The decisions made in the coming week will not only shape the leadership of the House but also have larger implications for the direction of the Republican party as it heads into the 2024 election.