Cut my finger but I won’t vote for Mike Johnson: Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie says he has no ‘F’s to give – Times of India

Ahead of the crucial election that Mike Johnson faces today, Republican Thomas Massie said he won’t vote for him.

As Speaker Mike Johnson faces a crucial vote today, Kentucky Rep Thomas Massie said he has no Fs to give and he would go against Donald Trump’s endorsement for Mike Johnson and would not vote for him. “You can pull all my fingernails out, you can shove bamboo up in them or you can start cutting off my fingers, I am not voting for Mike Johnson,” the Republican leader said adding that Mike Johnson sold all Republicans out.
“I don’t know how to say this without cussing,” Massie told Wall Street Journal, when asked about pressure to fall in line. “If they thought I had no Fs to give before, I definitely have no Fs to give now.”

Number game for Speaker election

Republicans have 219 seats and Democrats 215. Democrats are united in backing Rep Hakeem Jeffries (D, NY) which means if another Republican joins Massie in voting for an alternative candidate, Mike Johnson could fall short of a majority.
“We’ve seen Johnson partner with the Democrats to send money to Ukraine, authorize spying on Americans, and blow the budget,” Massie posted recently on X.

What Donald Trump said on Mike Johnson

Though the MAGA was miffed with Johnson’s spending bill and the country returned from the brink of a federal shutdown, Donald Trump endorsed Mike Johnson and said he’s a good, hard working, religious man. “He will do the right thing, and we will continue to WIN. Mike has my Complete & Total Endorsement. MAGA!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Elon Musk too announced his support for Mike Johnson.
CNN analyzed that Donald Trump wants a quick win in the Speaker election because if Republicans can’t select a Speaker by Monday, they won’t be able to initiate the congressional process to certify Trump’s election victory.