• After the US House of Representatives voted to remove Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as House Speaker earlier this week, former Pres. Donald Trump on Friday endorsed Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) to replace the ousted Republican. CBS (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• In a Truth Social post, Trump said Jordan “will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• In 2019, Jordan had served as Trump’s chief defender in his first impeachment trial. The latter awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award, to Ohio Rep. in 2021. Washington Post (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• Currently serving his ninth term, the Ohio Senator is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the House Oversight Committee as well as the House Freedom Caucus. BBC News (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• Before endorsing Jordan, who is up against Steve Scalise (R-La.) — McCarthy’s deputy since 2019 —Trump had said he would accept the House Speaker’s role on a short-term basis to serve “as a unifier.” The process of picking the next House speaker is expected to start Tuesday, while the actual vote could come as soon as Wednesday. BBC News (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• This follows speculation earlier this week that Trump himself could be a potential option for the House GOP to assume the role of McCarthy’s successor. Verity Lite

Left narrative:

• Jim Jordan aided Trump in his illegal attempts to overturn the 2020 election and conspired with the then-President on the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. If he were to assume this role, it would be disruptive if not dangerous for America’s political climate.
  Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Right narrative:

• Jim Jordan can unite all wings of the Republican party and already enjoys backing from most members. He has doggedly held the Biden administration to account over the past three years, has consistently stood up for Republican values, and could be the perfect solution for the post-McCarthy era.
  FOX News (LR: 4 CP: 4)

Nerd narrative:

• There’s a 57% chance that Rep. Jim Jordan will be elected to replace Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  Metaculus (LR: 3 CP: 3)