Amid growing concerns over a spending package, President-elect Donald Trump has signaled potential shifts in his support for House Speaker Mike Johnson, casting doubt on Johnson's future leadership role.

Trump's wavering support could put Johnson's position at risk, particularly due to the looming government shutdown, Breitbart reported.

President-elect Donald Trump's once solid backing of Mike Johnson to continue leading the Republican conference is showing signs of strain. Trump, who holds substantial sway among House Republicans, has expressed dissatisfaction with Johnson's handling of a critical spending measure. This dissatisfaction has led to Trump hinting at a reevaluation of his support for Johnson as Speaker.

Johnson's Leadership Under Scrutiny as Deadlines Approach

With a government shutdown looming before the Christmas holidays, the stakes are high for the Republican leadership. Trump's support is pivotal for Johnson, given the thin majority that the Republicans hold in the House. Any shift in support from Trump could be detrimental to Johnson maintaining his role.

On Thursday, Trump revealed that he had not fully withdrawn his backing for Johnson but emphasized that his continued support was conditional. Trump outlined a set of demands related to the upcoming spending package, which Johnson needs to satisfy to possibly secure his position.

Trump Sets Conditions for Continued Support

The demands set by Trump focus on modifications to the spending measure that Johnson is negotiating. Trump criticized the current proposal, labeling it a "Democrat trap" and stressing the need for it to be toughened to avoid pitfalls that could disadvantage the Republicans.

"We’ll see," Trump remarked to NBC News's Garrett Haake when questioned about his confidence in Johnson's leadership. This non-committal response has added to the uncertainty surrounding Johnson's future as Speaker.

House Republicans Face Tight Vote on Speaker's Fate

The challenge for Johnson is further complicated by the House's slim majority. Representative Thomas Massie from Kentucky has publicly stated his decision to vote against Johnson, which intensifies the pressure on Johnson, who can afford to lose only one Republican vote when the new session begins in early January.

"What they had yesterday was unacceptable. … In many ways, it was unacceptable. It’s a Democrat trap," Trump told reporters, expressing his dissatisfaction with the spending measure negotiations led by Johnson.

Trump's Strategic Roadmap for Johnson

During a discussion with Fox News’s Brooke Singman, Trump outlined a potential pathway for Johnson to remain in his position. He advised Johnson to "act decisively and tough" to eliminate the "traps being set by Democrats" within the spending package. According to Trump, this approach would enable Johnson to "easily remain speaker."

The political dynamics in the House are tense as members prepare for the potential government shutdown and the critical vote on the Speakership. The outcomes of these events could significantly influence the Republican Party's strategy and cohesion moving forward.