In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson addressed speculation surrounding a “little secret” he shares with former President Donald Trump, which Trump hinted at during his rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
Speaking to a crowd of around 90 supporters at a rally for GOP congressional candidate Ryan Mackenzie, Johnson explained that the secret is a simple “get-out-the-vote” strategy designed to boost Republican turnout, not a scheme to overturn electoral results.
“It’s nothing scandalous, but we’re having a ball with this,” Johnson told the audience, adding humorously that the media’s intense curiosity over the comment has only added to the fun. He went on to explain, “It’s a get-out-the-vote tactic,” further downplaying the theories circulating that he and Trump were plotting a controversial plan to influence the election outcome.
In response to rumors about an Electoral College maneuver, Johnson reiterated his respect for the Constitution, dismissing the speculation as “utter nonsense.” He added that as a constitutional attorney, he is committed to upholding the law and respecting democratic norms.
Trump’s original mention of the secret at his Madison Square Garden rally sparked widespread debate, especially among Democrats. “I suspect Trump’s little secret plan with Mike Johnson is that when he loses, he tries to go to the House to throw out the Electoral College,” speculated Rep. Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, on CNN. In Pennsylvania, however, Johnson reassured the crowd that there’s nothing sinister at play.
Trump even advised Johnson to let the theories persist, telling him “no, no, no” when he asked if he should quash the rumors, suggesting that they were enjoying watching the speculation unfold in the press.
The Harris campaign raised concerns that Johnson’s prior role in election certification might hint at a more concerning “secret.” Johnson had led an amicus brief challenging the 2020 election results in several states and voted against certifying results in Arizona and Pennsylvania. However, on NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this month, Johnson vowed to certify “a free and fair and legal election.”
On Monday, he again underscored this commitment, labeling the rumors as “hilarious” and part of a “tongue-in-cheek” approach to engaging voter interest.
Johnson’s campaign efforts have focused not only on supporting Trump but also on helping Republicans secure control of the House and the Senate. In an interview with The Hill, Johnson said that the attention on the supposed “secret” is a distraction from Democrats’ own “secrets,” including what he claims are withheld insights about President Joe Biden’s health and the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop.
“The FBI knew that the Hunter Biden laptop was real, and they kept that secret,” Johnson said, accusing Democrats of covering up details for political advantage. He highlighted that Vice President Kamala Harris was aware of Biden’s “diminished” condition before the American public and kept it concealed.
Returning to the real purpose of his and Trump’s collaboration, Johnson noted that the get-out-the-vote strategy is intended to help Republicans reach new groups of supporters, with anticipated increases in turnout among Hispanic, Black, and Jewish voters. “They cannot fathom that Trump and I have the support that we do around the country from new demographics of people,” Johnson told the crowd, optimistic that this new approach will expand the GOP base.
According to him, the collaboration with Trump will yield record-breaking support in minority communities, where he sees growing approval for conservative values and economic policies. The Speaker ended by urging Republicans to stay engaged, noting that voter turnout efforts would play a critical role in deciding control of Congress in the upcoming election.
