Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., initially voted for Jim Jordan for House Speaker on Friday, but President-elect Trump was able to convince him to change his vote, while working on his golf game.
Norman was one of three Republicans who initially refused to vote for Mike Johnson to keep his office.
While speaking to reporters on Friday, Norman said Trump had called him more than once to try to influence his vote for the president.
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Former President Trump follows a tee shot on the third tee during the pro-am before the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on August 10, 2023, in Bedminster, New Jersey (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
In Trump’s first phone call to Norman, Trump was getting it right.
“He said, ‘Look, I’m in the middle of a game of golf.’ That was the first time I talked to him,” Norman said, via MediaIte.
“He said, ‘Well, you voted for Nikki Haley.’ I said, ‘Yes, sir, I did. We’re with you now.’ And I said, ‘We’re with Mike Johnson.'”
Trump owns numerous golf courses, one of which was the scene of a second assassination attempt on his life in the summer. Trump’s USGA handicap was once as low as 2.5 and he claims to have recorded eight holes-in-one.
Trump also spoke by phone with Keith Self, R-Texas, in an effort to influence Self’s vote, sources told Pak Gazette Digital.
Rep. Ralph Norman, R.S.C., speaks to reporters. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
He himself confirmed to reporters that he had spoken with Trump by phone several times on Friday.
“I talked to him a couple times today,” Self said. “We had a lively discussion.”
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., connected Trump to Self and Norman by phone after they voted against Johnson, sources said.
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Johnson won the House of Representatives speakership in the first round of voting, after initially looking like he might lose.
Self, Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., each voted for lawmakers other than Johnson, appearing to put the speaker’s gavel out of reach.
But House leaders did not formally close the vote as they searched for a way forward. Republican lawmakers were asked to immediately go to the House of Representatives in preparation for a second vote.
Donald Trump playing golf (Getty Images)
However, that second vote did not occur and Johnson was sworn in as president on Friday afternoon.
