Donald Trump endorses Jim Jordan as House speaker race heats up

Now that former President Donald Trump on Friday morning officially threw his support behind Rep. Jim Jordan for House speaker, it's unclear what impact it will have on the race for the House's top job.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump raved about Jordan's background and what he called his aptitude for the position.

"He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!" Trump wrote.

Jordan, a top Trump ally and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was the first member to publicly throw his hat in the ring after Kevin McCarthy's ouster led by hard-line Republicans on Tuesday.

In a letter to his colleagues announcing his speakership bid on Wednesday, he said, "We are at a critical crossroad in our nation's history. Now is the time for our Republican conference to come together to keep our promises to Americans."

Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, who had once supported Trump for the top spot in the House, said on X (formerly Twitter) that he had spoken to Trump about the Jordan endorsement after earlier publicly supporting Trump himself for the position.

"Just had a great conversation with President Trump about the Speaker's race. He is endorsing Jim Jordan, and I believe Congress should listen to the leader of our party. I fully support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House," Nehls said on X.

So far, a few House other members have endorsed Trump for House speaker including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., Barry Moore, R-Ala., and Greg Steube, R-Fla.

Trump told Fox News he would consider being speaker for a "short period" while Republicans figure out a permanent replacement. However, GOP conference rules may not allow Trump to hold the position. The rules say a member of Republican leadership should step aside if indicted for a felony for which a sentence of two or more years imprisonment may be imposed, which would disqualify the former president.

Senior GOP leadership aides have downplayed the likelihood of the conference seriously considering Trump to serve as speaker -- even on an interim basis. Jordan on Thursday stressed that Trump should be president -- instead of speaker.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise is the only other person who has officially announced a speakership bid. In his Wednesday announcement, he said, "I believe we were all put here for a purpose. This next chapter won't be easy, but I know what it takes to fight and I am prepared for the battles that lie ahead."

The next speaker will come on at a critical time -- with a little more than a month until a deadline to fund the government. Republicans are said to be planning a candidate forum for next Tuesday and a speaker election as early as Wednesday.

-ABC News' Sarah Beth Hensley and Mary Bruce contributed to this report.

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