President-elect Trump appears to have helped Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., avoid a messy, drawn-out battle to lead the House of Representatives.
Trump spoke by phone with both Reps. Ralph Norman, RS.C., and Keith Self, R-Texas, after they began voting for candidates other than Johnson for speaker, two sources with and knowledge told Fox News Digital.
Self and Norman were seen disappearing into a separate room with Johnson and others after the nominations were completed, but before the polls officially closed.
They appeared a few minutes later and announced that they would both do it vote for Johnson – to confirm the victory of the Republic of Louisiana.
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Speaker Mike Johnson won the election to lead the House with the support of President-elect Donald Trump. (AP/Getty)
Self then confirmed to reporters that he had spoken with Trump on the phone several times on Friday.
“I talked to him a few times today,” Self said. “We had a good conversation.”
Self did not elaborate on the content of the conversation.
But two people who spoke to Fox News Digital said Rep. Nancy Mace, RS.C., connected Trump with Self and Norman by phone after they voted against Johnson.
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Two people said Rep. Nancy Mace has been linked to holdouts and Trump. (Getty Images)
Mace declined to comment, but Fox News Digital saw him and Johnson hugging on the House floor after they and others were in a separate room with holdouts.
He was also seen in a heated exchange with Norman from the floor of the House earlier.
Norman also later confirmed to reporters that he spoke with Trump on Friday.
“He's just made it clear that Mike is the only one who can be elected,” Norman said, adding that Trump didn't change his vote but it was a “commitment that things will change” from Johnson.
Johnson won the speakership of the House in the first round of the election, after appearing to be on the verge of losing.
Rep. Keith Self confirmed that he spoke with Trump. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Self, Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., everyone voted for the candidates except for Johnson, appearing to put the speaker out of reach.
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But House leaders have not officially closed the polls as they find a way forward. Meanwhile, GOP lawmakers were told to be on the House floor immediately to prepare for a second vote.
However, that second vote did not happen, and Johnson was sworn in as speaker on Friday afternoon.