Trump warns lawmakers opposing McCarthy for speaker are playing a 'dangerous game,' the deal must get done

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McCarthy's opponents double down despite Trump speakership endorsement

Fox News congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reports on Rep. Kevin McCarthy's struggling bid to become House speaker and former President Donald Trump's support for him.

EXCLUSIVE: Former President Donald Trump said Republican lawmakers opposing Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House are playing a "dangerous game," telling Fox News Digital that he supports the GOP leader and "getting the deal done," while stressing that he is against "allowing this to continue onward."

In an exclusive phone interview Wednesday, the former president, who announced a 2024 presidential campaign last year, urged the faction of House Republicans blocking McCarthy, R-Calif., for speaker to stop the "game."

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"Let’s get this thing over with," Trump told Fox News Digital. "The problem is, there is a big downside to this game that is being played."

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Reuters/Jonathan Ernst)

"I think it is a dangerous game, and, frankly, if they are not happy with him, they can do something about it at a later date," Trump said, again stressing that it is a "dangerous game."

He added, "I support [McCarthy] and I support getting the deal done. What I don’t support is allowing this to continue onward." 

President Donald Trump, right, greets House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy during a Rose Garden event at the White House on May 4, 2017. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump's comments come after he posted on Truth Social on Wednesday morning, saying "it's now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN." 

"CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE ‘HOUSE’ TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT," Trump posted. "Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB - JUST WATCH!" 

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McCarthy, who has served as GOP leader, failed on three ballots to garner enough support to become speaker of the House on Tuesday. It was the first time since 1923 that the House failed on the first vote for a speaker. 

Former President Donald Trump, left, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy meet at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, in January 2021. (Save America PAC)

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., led the House Freedom Caucus charge against McCarthy's bid for speaker. He and 19 other Republican members have frozen the House in opposition to McCarthy while solidifying their support behind Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio.

However, Jordan nominated McCarthy for speaker. 

Despite Trump's comments on Truth Social, Gaetz told Fox News Digital on Wednesday morning that endorsement of McCarthy for speaker has not changed the congressman’s view on the former president or GOP leader, nor has swayed his vote.

"Sad!" Gaetz said in a Wednesday statement. "This changes neither my view of McCarthy, nor Trump, nor my vote."

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Gaetz and approximately 19 other GOP lawmakers argue that McCarthy is not conservative enough, and claim he has failed to make certain assurances about rules changes that would decentralize power in the House.

Democrats were united in support for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to be the next speaker over the three votes and many of their members mocked the GOP divisions on social media and in comments to the press.

The House will continue voting until a speaker is elected.

Fox News' Houston Keene contributed to this report.