MP Ralph Norman, RSC, initially voted for Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on Friday, however President-elect Trump He managed 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 them Mike Johnson to retain his role.
While speaking to reporters on Friday, Norman said Trump called him more than once to try to influence his vote for Speaker of the House.
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Former President Trump follows a tee shot on the third tee during the professional round before the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club on August 10, 2023, in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Mike Staub/Getty Images)
In Trump's first phone call with Norman, Trump was hitting the links.
“He said, 'Look, I'm in the middle of a golf game.' This was my first time talking to him.” Norman said via MediaIte.
“Well, I voted for Nikki Haley,” he said. I said: Yes, sir, we are with you now. And I said, 'We'll be with Mike Johnson.'
Trump owns several golf courses, one of which was the site of A second assassination attempt in his life In the summer. Trump's USGA handicap was very low at 2.5, and he claims to have scored eight holes in one.
Sources told Fox News Digital that Trump also spoke with Keith Self, Republican of Texas, by phone in an attempt to influence Self's vote.
MP Ralph Norman, RSC, speaks to reporters. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)
He himself confirmed to reporters that he spoke with Trump on the phone several times on Friday.
“I talked to him a few times today,” Self said. “We had a lively discussion.”
The sources said that Representative Nancy Mace contacted Trump, Self and Norman by phone after they voted against Johnson.
Johnson won the House of Representatives in the first round of voting, after initially looking like he might lose.
Self, Norman and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., all voted for lawmakers other than Johnson, appearing to put the speaker's gavel out of reach.
But House leaders have not formally closed the vote while determining the way forward. GOP lawmakers were asked to be on the House floor immediately in preparation for the second vote.
Donald Trump plays golf (Getty Images)
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But the second vote did not take place, and Johnson was sworn in as president on Friday afternoon.
Fox News' Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
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