House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) stunned many viewers on Sunday with his effusive praise of former President Donald Trump during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Johnson was asked about Trump’s repeated claims, which have been debunked, regarding Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio.
Instead of addressing the falsehoods, Johnson shifted the conversation to praise Trump’s physical and mental prowess. “He has more stamina, mental acumen, and strength than any political figure probably in the history of the country that I can remember,” Johnson stated, surprising both viewers and political commentators alike.
The Speaker’s comments didn’t end there. Johnson further dismissed concerns about Trump’s failure to release his medical records, defending the former president by claiming that Trump “doesn’t require as much sleep as the average person” and is “an unusual figure.” His flattering remarks about Trump’s health and capabilities were met with widespread criticism online.
National security expert Steve Metz expressed his dismay on social media, tweeting, “I remain amazed at the number of people psychologically hardwired for cultism.” Metz was one of many who viewed Johnson’s comments as excessively sycophantic.
Georgetown Law professor Aderson Francois also weighed in, stating, “We’re approaching North Korea’s level of sycophancy when the Speaker of the House of Representatives describes Trump in words that the typical internet rando might be slightly ashamed to post.” Francois’ comment reflected a growing sentiment that Johnson’s words were uncomfortably deferential.
Author Jennifer Erin Valent voiced her outrage over Johnson’s remarks, particularly his apparent contradiction of Christian values. “I very much dislike watching Donald Trump speak, but my blood boils listening to Speaker Johnson,” Valent wrote. “This man routinely claims the holy name of my Savior out of one side of his mouth while smugly lying and manipulating out of the other. I find that distinctly abhorrent.”
Criticism of the interview extended beyond Johnson himself. Former Chicago Sun-Times editor Mark Jacob took issue with NBC’s decision to invite Johnson onto Meet the Press at all. “‘Meet the Press’ keeps inviting Republican traitors like Mike Johnson to come on the show and lie,” Jacob wrote. “It often fact-checks them. If the traitors thought these appearances hurt their cause, they’d stop appearing.
They keep coming on because they think NBC boosts their brand.” Johnson’s glowing remarks about Trump sparked widespread backlash, raising questions about his motives and leaving many wondering about the state of political discourse in the country.