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- Trump is reportedly delighted in how even lawmakers that he's crossed are endorsing him.
- Rep. Tom Emmer, the No. 3 House Republican, announced his support for Trump on Wednesday.
- Trump previously bashed Emmer, killing his chance of becoming House speaker.
Former President Donald Trump has reportedly delighted in how even lawmakers that he's crossed are backing his 2024 presidential bid.
According to a New York Times report, Trump has bragged about how Rep. Tom Emmer, the No. 3 House Republican, endorsed his presidential campaign even after Trump derailed Emmer's effort to become speaker of the House in the wake of Kevin McCarthy's historic ouster.
"They always bend the knee," Trump said privately of Emmer's support, according to The Times.
In October, Trump called Emmer a "RINO" during his brief moment as the party's nominee to replace McCarthy. Despite a very standard voting record, Emmer, who is also House Majority Whip, was cast by Trump as being "totally out-of-touch with Republican Voters."
On Wednesday, Emmer announced his support of Trump, saying it was time "for Republicans to unite behind our party's clear frontrunner." All current members of House GOP leadership have endorsed Trump.
Emmer was viewed by Trump's orbit as too squishy and not forceful enough in his defense of the former president in the face of multiple criminal indictments. The Minnesota Republican also voted to certify the 2020 election results, rejecting the Trump-back effort to overturn the election even after the Capitol riot.
Representatives for Emmer and Trump did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.