Former President Donald Trump revealed Thursday that he would accept a short-term role as speaker of the House “if necessary” to unite the Republican Party.
Trump, 77, told Fox News Digital that if Republicans struggle to reach a consensus on a replacement for Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), he’d be willing to fill the role for a “30, 60, or 90-day period.”
“I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress,” the former president said. “If they don’t get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer-term because I am running for president.”
“They have asked me if I would take it for a short period of time for the party, until they come to a conclusion,” he added. “I’m not doing it because I want to — I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision.”
Trump told Fox that he will travel to Washington and meet with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill Tuesday, when the GOP conference will hold a candidate forum to discuss potential options for the vacant speakership position.
The full House is expected to begin the election process the following day and continue until a new speaker is chosen.
“I would only do it for the party,” Trump said of the possibility of becoming speaker, insisting that his priority is his presidential campaign.
Trump is ineligible for the speakership post under current House GOP rules, which bars Individuals with felony indictments from serving in the role — but the rules could be altered to clear the way for him to possess the gavel.
Trump is facing a total of 91 charges across four criminal cases — and up to 712 years and six months behind bars if convicted of all of them.
In the aftermath of McCarthy’s unprecedented removal, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) have both thrown their hats into the ring for the speakership.
However, several GOP lawmakers – including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Troy Nehls (R-Texas) and Greg Steube (R-Fla.) – have called for Trump to be nominated and elected House speaker.
To be elected, candidates must receive an absolute majority of votes for a named candidate – meaning “present” votes lower the required number.
In January, McCarthy was elected speaker after a four-day, 15-ballot election, only after a number of dissenters voted “present” instead of for a McCarthy alternative.