House Speaker Mike Johnson, one of the most powerful figures in the U.S. government, recently spent a weekend with President-elect Donald Trump. The visit, which included stops at Mar-a-Lago, a UFC fight, and even a plane ride on Trump Force One, showcased Johnson’s proximity to power. However, it also revealed a troubling reality: Johnson’s influence is overshadowed by Trump’s commanding presence, leaving him ignored and sidelined, even by guests at these events.
At Mar-a-Lago, Johnson mingled with big names like Elon Musk, Kid Rock, and Sylvester Stallone. But a viral tweet painted a less flattering picture: “Mar-a-Lago guests talking and ignoring Speaker Mike Johnson.” While Johnson is the third-most powerful person in the U.S. government, his presence barely registered.
Mar-a-Lago guests talking and ignoring Speaker Mike Johnson pic.twitter.com/QzX8nxRgni
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 19, 2024
Twitter exploded with reactions. One user, José, pointed out the absurdity: “Isn’t he like the 3rd most powerful person in the country right now?” Another, JohnJoe, highlighted the carelessness of the crowd: “It’s a game to all of them. If it’s not entertaining, they don’t care!” Aaron Decker went further, calling Johnson “boring” and mocking him for being a “traitor.” Mark Mi Duck Hunter added, “No one listens to the lapdog…He’s told what to do, not think or act as a leader.”
Isn’t he like the 3rd most powerful person in the country right now?
— José (@jesuisJOse) November 19, 2024
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It’s a game to all of them. If it’s not entertaining they don’t care!
— ☘️ JohnJoe (@johnjoe) November 19, 2024
Because @MikeJohnson suffers from one of the worst of maladies…he’s fucking boring! And he’s a traitor and a total piece of shit…I’ve recommended actually rubbing one out to “release the poison” but it does not appear he’s taken me up on that one!
— Aaron Decker (@aarondcomedy) November 19, 2024
No one listens to the lapdog…He’s told what to do, not think or act as a leader.
— Mark Mi Duck Hunter (@MarkFlegm) November 19, 2024
The Republican Party, under Trump, has become more about spectacle than substance. Johnson, with his religious-right background, should represent the party’s values. But instead, he is treated as an afterthought, unable to command respect.
The GOP’s culture has shifted dramatically under Trump. As political analyst Jeffrey Jenkins explained, Johnson’s position as speaker is “precarious.” He is “beholden to the president-elect in ways that prior speakers have not been.” Historically, House speakers have maintained independence from the White House. Nancy Pelosi, for example, famously stood up to Trump during his presidency, showing Congress’s power as an equal branch of government. Johnson, by contrast, appears submissive, a symbol of how Trump dominates his party.
Trump’s influence over the Republican Party isn’t just about politics; it’s about image. From the UFC fight to celebrity-packed dinners, Trump surrounds himself with icons of wealth, power, and masculinity. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich described Trump’s world as “a three-ring circus, along with a vaudeville act,” showing the focus on entertainment rather than governing.
The way Johnson is ignored at Mar-a-Lago reflects deeper issues within the Republican Party. It’s a party focused on loyalty to Trump, not effective leadership. Johnson may hold the speaker’s gavel, but his inability to assert himself raises questions about whether he can represent Congress independently.
As Gingrich put it, Johnson is trying to “walk through the world the way the world is.” But if the world is Trump’s circus, Johnson is merely a supporting act. The Speaker of the House deserves respect, not as a pawn in Trump’s game, but as a leader for the people. If Johnson cannot step out of Trump’s shadow, his tenure as speaker may only serve to weaken an already divided Congress.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
