Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday trashed the House GOP’s new nominee for speaker, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, calling him “out of touch” with Republican voters whose election would be a “tragic mistake.”

Mr. Trump posted the criticism on his social media site after Mr. Emmer won the GOP nomination for speaker following five rounds of voting. Mr. Emmer is now struggling to win over over two dozen holdouts, many staunch Trump allies. 

The former president’s missive about Mr. Emmer won’t help.

He called Mr. Emmer a RINO, or Republican in name only, and said electing him speaker “would be a tragic mistake.”

Mr. Emmer, he said, “never respected the Power of a Trump Endorsement,” despite calling the former president earlier this week.

“I believe he has now learned his lesson, because he is saying that he is Pro-Trump all the way, but who can ever be sure? He only has changed because that is what it takes to win?”

Mr. Trump’s opposition comes as Mr. Emmer huddles with holdouts in the Capitol trying to win their support. 

Mr. Emmer was among the GOP lawmakers in 2020 who did not vote to hold up certification of President Biden’s electoral victory, but he has largely voted as a conservative in Congress.

Mr. Trump previously endorsed conservative firebrand Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker. Mr. Jordan lost in three consecutive votes on the House floor last week. 

• Susan Ferrechio can be reached at sferrechio@washingtontimes.com.