Trump throws Mike Johnson a lifeline with 11th-hour endorsement

• "Trump's endorsement is significant and may save Johnson," Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) told Axios.

What he's saying: "Speaker Mike Johnson is a good, hard working, religious man. He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

• He added: "Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!"
• Johnson, in a post on X, said he is "honored and humbled" by Trump's support, adding, "The American people demand and deserve that we waste no time. Let's get to work!"

State of play: Johnson is set to have a 219-215 majority on Jan. 3 and will likely be able to afford just a single GOP defection and still be reelected.

• Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has said he will vote for an alternative to Johnson, with several other right-wingers saying they are undecided.
• Democrats have signaled that they will all vote for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), denying Johnson crossover support.

Between the lines: Many of Johnson's right-wing skeptics are also firm Trump loyalists who will likely be swayed by the president-elect's endorsement.

• Nehls, who told Axios earlier this month he was undecided on whether to vote for Johnson, said Monday: "If DJT supports Johnson we need to rally around Johnson."
• But others like Massie have flexed their independence from the president-elect, and one House Republican predicted to Axios on Monday that Johnson could still face a handful of defections on the first ballot.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.