Representative Mike Johnson, who gained recognition for his assertions about a rigged 2020 election, has come under scrutiny after assuming the speakership due to concerns about his personal life. In particular, there have been questions raised about his Black “adopted” son, Michael, who was never formally adopted and was conspicuously absent from a family portrait featured on the Republican’s official website.
Johnson Took Custody of Son in 2016
Speaker Johnson’s Communications Director, Corinne Day, told Newsweek in an exclusive interview, “When Speaker Johnson first ran for Congress in 2016, he and his wife, Kelly, spoke to their son Michael, who they took in as newlyweds when Michael was 14 years old.”
Son Was an Adult When Johnson Elected
“At the time of the speaker’s election to Congress, Michael was an adult with a family of his own. He asked not to be involved in their new public life. The speaker has respected that sentiment throughout his career and maintains a close relationship with Michael to this day,” concluded Ms. Day.
Son Was Not Formally Adopted
Ms. Day has previously told The New York Times that Michael was not formally adopted due to the “lengthy adoption process.”
Johnson Promotes Conspiracy Theories
The recently appointed speaker is more widely recognized for promoting conspiracy theories associated with supporters of former President Trump, including Sidney Powell. Powell, Trump’s former attorney, recently pleaded guilty to charges in the Georgia racketeering trial in a deal with prosecutors relating to her attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Johnson, the Election Denier
In 2020, Johnson claimed that Biden’s victory was illegitimate due to certain state officials altering voting procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fair Elections “Worth Fighting For”
In 2020, now-Speaker Johnson posted on Twitter, “President Trump called me last night and I was encouraged to hear his continued resolve to ensure that every LEGAL vote gets properly counted and that all instances of fraud and illegality are investigated and prosecuted. Fair elections are worth fighting for!”
“Stay Strong,” Nation Is “Depending” on It
In another post in 2020, Johnson wrote, “I have just called President Trump to say this: ‘Stay strong and keep fighting, sir! The nation is depending upon your resolve. We must exhaust every available legal remedy to restore Americans’ trust in the fairness of our election system.’”
“Walked With Him Through Discrimination”
The congressman has brought up his son, Michael, in several interviews despite his son’s requests not to be involved in his father’s politics. Back in 2019, Johnson brought up his son while testifying against reparations for slavery. Johnson stated, “I have walked with him [Michael] through discrimination that he has had to endure over the years and the hurdles he sometimes faced. I know all this because I was with him.”
Have You Seen the Story “The Blind Side?”
After the death of George Floyd, Johnson explained the different challenges his sons faced, based on their races, during a PBS interview: “Michael is a Black American and Jack is white. They have different challenges. My son, Jack, has an easier path. He just does.” In a 2020 PBS interview, Johnson compared the family’s decision to take custody of their son to the story “The Blind Side”: “Have you seen the story ‘The Blind Side?’ That was our story, except my Michael was not an NFL prospect… we took him in as our own.”
Son Would Have “Joined a Gang”
In the 2020 interview, Rep. Johnson said, “He shares his testimony that, were it not for our intervention in his life, that he would certainly have joined a gang, gotten on drugs, wound up in prison, or dead on the street somewhere. And that’s the harsh reality that we have here.”
Most Extreme Speaker in the House’s History
Democratic National Committee Executive Director Sam Cornale recently wrote a memo responding to Johnson’s recent election as speaker stating, “Johnson would be the most extreme speaker of the House in history. Republicans nationwide will have to answer for his extreme MAGA track record of election denialism, abortion extremism, and bold-faced partisanship in 2024.”
House Speaker Must Reflect Republican Values
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has also expressed her views on the newly elected speaker, stating the House speaker must reflect “the values of Republican voters that can lead our conference.” Greene voted against Rep. Tom Emmerin partly over his vote to “certify Biden’s 2020 election.”
Reporter Booed by Johnson’s Fellow GOP Allies
Johnson’s fellow GOP allies allegedly booed a reporter for ABC News. The ABC report stated, “For now, Republicans appear eager to avoid election denial questions. When ABC News’ Rachel Scott, on Tuesday, asked Johnson whether he stood by his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, she was booed by Johnson’s fellow GOP lawmakers gathered around him.” The ABC article further stated that Rep. Virginia Foxx had told the reporter to “shut up.”
Trump Claimed Credit for Johnson’s Win
Donald Trump has reportedly claimed credit for Mike Johnson’s election as speaker. Trump was speaking to reporters outside the New York courthouse, where his civil trial is ongoing.
“We Put Out the Word”
“This time yesterday, nobody was thinking of Mike,” said Trump. “Then we put out the word and now he is the speaker of the House,” he claimed.
Disadvantaged Kids Are “Political Props”
Users have voiced their opinions of Johnson and his attempts to keep his son, Michael, out of the public eye. One user posted, “I really kind of despise this stuff. Politicians have adopted disadvantaged kids for nothing but political props since the beginning of time. They have the material means to do so comfortably and it earns them free political points, so why not?”
Officials Have the Right to Shield Their Children
One user posted: “Public officials have every right to shield their families from the vicious, unforgiving arena of political hatchet men/women. I would make no excuses.”
“Want’s Nothing To Do With His Career”
Another said, “I’m going to guess that his son thinks his father’s political positions are abhorrent and wants nothing to do with his career.”
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