AOC responds to the news that Byron Donalds is running for House speaker



Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has responded to the news that Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida is mounting a bid to become House speaker.

"Donalds has only served 1 full term in the House. His most recent work involved submitting falsified evidence in an impeachment investigation. These people are not serious," tweeted Ocasio-Cortez, who is currently serving her third term in office.

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Donalds and a number of other Republicans have thrown their hats into the ring since Rep. Jim Jordan's speakership bid collapsed. Donalds had voted for Jordan, an Ohio Republican, during all three rounds of balloting this week. But in each round, Jordan was unable to earn sufficient support to secure the speakership.

"TONIGHT, I AM ANNOUNCING MY CANDIDACY FOR SPEAKER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. MY SOLE FOCUS WILL BE SECURING OUR BORDER, FUNDING OUR GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLY, ADVANCING A CONSERVATIVE VISION FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND EXPANDING OUR REPUBLICAN MAJORITY," Donalds said in a statement.

"UNDER MY LEADERSHIP, THE HOUSE WILL LEAD THE CHARGE TO ADVANCE A SIMPLE OBJECTIVE: PUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST, KEEP THEM SAFE, AND MAKE THEIR LIVES EASIER," he noted. "I LOOK FORWARD TO SECURING THE VOTES OF A MAJORITY OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO BECOME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPEAKER, THE FIRST SPEAKER FROM THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THE NEXT SPEAKER OF THE 118TH CONGRESS."

— (@)

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, who did not back Jordan during the three votes this week, has thrown his support behind Donalds. "@ByronDonalds is an honorable leader and respected by the entire conference. That is why it is a privilege to endorse Byron for speaker," he tweeted.

— (@)

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'Uncle Tom's Cabin' sent to Republican lawmaker's DC office



Republican Rep. Byron Donalds' Washington, D.C., office received a copy of Harriet Beecher Stowe's classic novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin."

"Today, my D.C. office received a copy of the world-renowned book "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe. Whoever sent this book did so w/ hate in their heart & the desire to depict me as a sellout," a tweet on the congressman's @RepDonaldsPress Twitter account stated.

GOP Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah called the stunt "a clear example of bullies, cowards, intellectual dwarfs and racists who thrive in the shadows of anonymity."

"'Uncle Tom’s Cabin' is a book everyone should read," Grace to You director of digital platforms Darrell B. Harrison tweeted. "Only those who are ignorant of its gospel-themed narrative would view that book with such hateful and spiteful intent as this."

\u201c\u201cUncle Tom\u2019s Cabin\u201d is a book everyone should read. Only those who are ignorant of its gospel-themed narrative would view that book with such hateful and spiteful intent as this.\u201d
— Darrell B. Harrison (@Darrell B. Harrison) 1674159144

Earlier this month, after voting twice for California Republican Kevin McCarthy to become House speaker, Donalds joined the ranks of more than a dozen GOP lawmakers who had been voting against McCarthy. In many of the voting rounds, all or some of the McCarthy opponents voted for Donalds. Donalds voted for Ohio Republican Jim Jordan on the third round, then for himself from the fourth through 11th rounds. He and many others in the group voted for McCarthy from the 12th round on, though McCarthy did not secure the speakership until the 15th round when six lawmakers voted present.

Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri called Donalds "a prop."

"FWIW, @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop. Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy. His name being in the mix is not progress—it's pathetic," Bush tweeted.

"FWIW, nobody asked @CoriBush her opinion on the matter. Before you judge my agenda, let's have a debate over the policies and the outcomes. Until then, don't be a crab in a barrel!" Donalds tweeted.

Donalds, a Florida Republican, has served as a U.S. congressman since 2021.

\u201cFWIW, nobody asked @CoriBush her opinion on the matter. Before you judge my agenda, let's have a debate over the policies and the outcomes. Until then, don't be a crab in a barrel!\u201d
— Byron Donalds (@Byron Donalds) 1672875094

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'Cry harder, haters': Wife of GOP Rep. Byron Donalds responds to 'racist attacks' from liberals



Erika Donalds, the wife of Rep. Byron Donalds, responded on Wednesday to the vitriolic critics of her husband, a second-term Republican congressman from Florida.

What is the background?

Donalds gained notoriety last week after the faction of 20 Republicans who were blocking Rep. Kevin McCarthy's speakership bid coalesced around Donalds. In several ballots, Donalds received 20 votes. Had he received enough to win the speakership, Donalds would have become the first black House speaker.

Democrats in particular have lashed out against Donalds. Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) called him a mere "prop" who bolsters white supremacy. MSNBC host Joy Reid, meanwhile, questioned Donalds' ability to lead in a contentious interview.

What did Mrs. Donalds say?

Despite her husband being a black man, Donalds said the "most racist attacks" against him come from the left, from Democrats and liberals.

"Byron and I have been together for 23+ years, and the most racist attacks we experience are always from the left," she tweeted. "They can’t accept that a free thinking black man achieves success on his own merits, and they sure as heck can’t stand that he’s married to me!

"Cry harder, haters," she mocked.

\u201cByron and I have been together for 23+ years, and the most racist attacks we experience are always from the left. They can\u2019t accept that a free thinking black man achieves success on his own merits, and they sure as heck can\u2019t stand that he\u2019s married to me! \nCry harder, haters.\u201d
— Erika Donalds (@Erika Donalds) 1673439770

Along with her defiant message, Donalds included many of the racist comments that people have slung even at her.

Many of the messages spotlight the fact that Rep. Donalds, a black man, married a white woman.

"Surprise surprise, his wife is... nevermind," one person said. Another tweeted, "No surprise he has a snowflake for a wife."

"Byron Donalds has a white, fascist wife! She's the new Ginni Thomas! Maybe she can betray her country too!" another person tweeted about her.

\u201cAnd\u2026there\u2019s more! \u270c\ud83c\udffc\u201d
— Erika Donalds (@Erika Donalds) 1673439770

Donalds also responded directly to Reid, singling out the fact that Reid repeatedly interrupted Rep. Donalds.

"Joy Reid wouldn’t allow my husband speak because he kept making her look foolish!" Mrs. Donalds said. "He brought facts and receipts, while all she had were empty Democrat talking points. @ByronDonalds showed her (and everyone) why he would be well qualified for [speaker of the House]!"

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Republican goes on House floor, rebukes Democrat for 'grotesquely racist' attack against Rep. Byron Donalds



Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) blasted Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) Thursday on the House floor after the far-left lawmaker personally attacked one of his Republican colleagues.

What did Bush say?

As a faction of Republicans block Rep. Kevin McCarthy's speakership bid, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), a black conservative, became the Republican around whom the McCarthy opponents coalesced. Had Donalds received enough votes to win, he would have become the first black speaker of the House.

Bush, instead, used the potentially historic moment to racially attack Donalds as a mere "prop" for white supremacy.

"[For what it's worth], @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop," Bush tweeted on Wednesday. "Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy."

How did Bishop respond?

Taking his grievance to the House floor, Bishop made it clear that Republicans abhor Bush's racist attack.

"Last night, I sat within feet of Mr. Donalds as the tweet of another member-elect appeared on the screen. That member-elect wrote, and sent out to America, that Byron Donalds is 'a prop,'" he began. "I've spent a good bit of time with Mr. Donalds, especially lately.

"He ain’t no prop!" Bishop declared. "This is the tired, old, grotesquely racist rhetoric that we've seen far too long!"

JUST IN: Dan Bishop Slams Cori Bush To Her Face In Front Of Their Colleagues For Attack On Donalds www.youtube.com

Later in his speech, Bishop said Congress needs more lawmakers like Donalds.

"I know Byron. He's not a prop — he's a man of personal conviction," Bishop said. "He arrived at his convictions through authentic and genuine life experience."

What did Donalds say?

The Florida Republican defended himself on Thursday, but more importantly observed how sad it was that Bush felt she needed to personally attack and minimize him.

"That sucks, to be honest with you, man," Donalds said on Fox Business. "I feel bad that she really put that out there because you know, if you see a black man rising, I mean, let the man rise, even if you don't agree with him.

"As a black man to a black woman, I would've never done that to her," he added. "It's a shame she did it to me."

NYT editorial board member suggests some GOP lawmakers opposing McCarthy were elected due to racism



New York Times editorial board member Mara Gay suggested on Thursday that some of the Republicans opposing Kevin McCarthy's bid for the House speakership were elected due to racism.

During an appearance on MSNBC, Gay claimed that some of the Republican figures were "elected based on a litmus test to stop the tide of diversity in the country, the browning of America, the fears that surround that."

Earlier in the segment, host Nicolle Wallace had described the deadlock as a "tragedy for American democracy."

\u201c"Some of these individuals were people who were really only elected based on a litmus test to stop the tide of diversity in the country, the browning of America, the fears that surround that. So, they were not elected to go do the work of government"- @MaraGay w/ @NicolleDWallace\u201d
— Deadline White House (@Deadline White House) 1672963836

While a significant majority of the House GOP has been backing McCarthy, more than a dozen Republicans have been been opposing him, preventing McCarthy from gaining the speaker's gavel. So far, McCarthy has come up short in a whopping 11 votes, including three on Tuesday, three on Wednesday, and five on Thursday. Democrats have been voting for Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

In many of the votes this week, the Republicans opposing McCarthy have voted for Byron Donalds of Florida, who is black — Donalds voted for McCarthy twice, but has since been voting against him.

Democrat Cori Bush of Missouri, who is black, has described Donalds as a "prop."

"FWIW, @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop. Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy. His name being in the mix is not progress—it's pathetic," Bush tweeted on Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump has called for Republicans to rally around McCarthy, but Matt Gaetz of Florida asserted that Trump's support for McCarthy represents "the worst Human Resources decision President Trump has ever made," while Lauren Boebert of Colorado has said that Trump should call on McCarthy to withdraw from contention. Gaetz voted for Trump to be House speaker during some of the votes on Thursday.

Rep. Byron Donalds goes viral with response when asked if he fears 'retribution' from pro-McCarthy Republicans



Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) made it clear on Wednesday that he does not fear reprisals for blocking Rep. Keven McCarthy's House speakership bid.

What is the background?

A faction of approximately 20 conservative Republicans are blocking McCarthy from becoming speaker. They say that electing him will empower the status quo that many Americans detest.

Initially, Donalds supported McCarthy. But on Tuesday — as the House voted on the third ballot of the day — Donalds broke from McCarthy. By Wednesday, the faction of anti-McCarthy Republicans were supporting Donalds for the speakership. On the fourth, fifth, and sixth ballots, Donalds earned 20 votes.

What is Donalds saying?

A reporter asked Donalds on Wednesday if he is worried about "retribution" from his own party for not backing McCarthy and becoming one of the main voices opposing the Republican leader.

"You've put yourself in a pretty public position opposing the person that could be the speaker. Are you worried about retribution?" the reporter asked.

Donalds' response — which has garnered more than 1.5 million views — made it clear his conscience is worry-free.

"Man, I'm 6'2", 275 [pounds] — I'm not worried about that," he said.

\u201cReporter: "You've put yourself in a pretty public position opposing the person that could be the speaker. Are you worried about retribution?"\n\nRep. Byron Donalds: "Man, I'm 6'2", 275, I'm not worried about that."\u201d
— Evan McMurry (@Evan McMurry) 1672869338

Donalds defended his opposition to McCarthy on Wednesday as a "good thing" for the Republican Party and America.

"These leadership challenges are a good thing for our party, and they're actually a good thing for America. The days of just power by acclamation, those days are over. It needs to be earned," he said on Fox News.

Anything else?

On Thursday, Donalds responded to Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who on Wednesday dismissed him as a mere "prop."

"[For what it's worth], @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop," Bush tweeted. "Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy."

Speaking on Fox Business, Donalds said he felt bad that Bush believed it was necessary to personally attack him.

"That sucks, to be honest with you, man," Donalds said. "I feel bad that she really put that out there because you know, if you see a black man rising, I mean, let the man rise, even if you don't agree with him.

"As a black man to a black woman, I would've never done that to her," he added. "It's a shame she did it to me."

Rep. Cori Bush lashes out at black Republican nominated for speaker, calling him a 'prop' who perpetuates white supremacy



Far-left Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri angrily lashed out at a black Republican nominated in the election for House speaker and accused him of "perpetuating white supremacy."

Bush, a member of the progressive "Squad" in Congress, insulted Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and called him a "prop" for the Republican party.

"[For what it's worth], @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop. Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy," Bush tweeted.

\u201cFWIW, @ByronDonalds is not a historic candidate for Speaker. He is a prop. Despite being Black, he supports a policy agenda intent on upholding and perpetuating white supremacy.\n\nHis name being in the mix is not progress\u2014it\u2019s pathetic.\u201d
— Cori Bush (@Cori Bush) 1672862187

"His name being in the mix is not progress—it’s pathetic," she added.

Donalds' name had been tossed into the ring as a possible challenger for the House speakership after Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) failed to garner enough votes from Republicans to secure the position. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) noted the historic nature of Donalds and Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), both black men, being nominated for House speaker. His observation garnered a bipartisan standing ovation from members of the House.

Critics of Bush accused her of being racist against Donalds purely based on her opposition to his political beliefs.

"Wait, so if a black person has a different POV than you do they are a prop??? So you are saying they don't have a mind of their own. Amazing how racist you are," read one response.

"Why is it that you are 'allowed' to be so openly racist and you sycophants even praise you for it?" responded one detractor.

"Cori Bush has found a black life that doesn't matter," read another popular response.

The internecine struggle to choose the next speaker carried into Wednesday when McCarthy failed to win after a fourth, fifth, and sixth round of voting. The embarrassing defeat means the House will continue to be leaderless after multiple ballots for the first time in over a century.

Here's more about the speakership struggle:

House adjourns without electing speaker again after McCarthy fails to win majority | full coveragewww.youtube.com