House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing criticism after a picture emerged of him with a figure who is not viewed in the best light by many conservatives.
On Wednesday, Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman shared a picture of Johnson walking next to former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) and shared they “just emerged from the speakers [sic] suite together.”
NEW — @SpeakerRyan and @SpeakerJohnson just emerged from the speakers suite together. pic.twitter.com/Q3QDb15jhq
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) December 13, 2023
The imagery of Johnson meeting with a figure critical of former President Donald Trump did not go over well.
“A picture says a thousand words,” one user wrote, adding, “Infuriating.”
A picture says a thousand words
— Vince Langman (@LangmanVince) December 13, 2023
Infuriating
Conservative lawyer Harmeet Dhillon wrote, “This is not good.”
This is not good. https://t.co/zNODnEFCPH
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) December 14, 2023
“Man, this got so disappointing so fast,” conservative commentator Charlie Kirk said.
Man, this got so disappointing so fast. https://t.co/O1cOiVKVIP
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) December 13, 2023
Conservative commentator Lauren Chen wrote, “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. https://t.co/GZgPD2fo0z
— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) December 14, 2023
Ryan has been an outspoken critic of Trump and praised former Reps. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) during a recent interview with Teneo Political Risk Advisory Co-President Kevin Kajiwara for breaking with the former president.
Meanwhile, he called Trump a “populist, authoritarian narcissist.”