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The early discontent within the GOP raised concerns about the party’s unity moving forward. Contributing correspondent Rachel Bade noted that Trump's involvement in the nomination process translated into a desire for a swift resolution to avoid appearing weak in his leadership role. Trump's substantial personal stake in the congressional agenda—particularly in relation to certifying his election victory—fueled attempts to shift the dynamics in Johnson's favor.

The Role of Relationships and Deals

Chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl explained that Trump played a more active role in this nomination process compared to previous speaker elections. His involvement was seen as both pivotal and necessary, requiring him to apply pressure on the holdouts to align with Johnson.