US House Speaker Mike Johnson was left floundering during a press conference, utterly unable to provide a coherent defence for Donald Trump's nosediving popularity and a series of glaring policy reversals.
The Republican leader faced a barrage of questions from journalists, who pressed him on why the former president's poll numbers are sinking despite his enduring grip on the party's base. Johnson's response was a masterclass in political evasion, offering little more than mumbled platitudes and deflections.
A Struggle for Answers
When confronted with Trump's declining support, particularly among key independent voters, Johnson visibly struggled. He attempted to pivot to criticising the Biden administration but was repeatedly pulled back to the central issue: Trump's electoral liabilities.
The Speaker's performance underscored a growing panic within the GOP establishment. Party leaders are increasingly caught between their unwavering loyalty to Trump and the cold, hard data suggesting he could be a significant drag on the ticket in the upcoming election.
Policy Flip-Flops Exposed
Johnson was also forced to account for his own stark reversals on previously held principles, most notably his sudden support for sending aid to Ukraine after years of opposition. This U-turn, clearly orchestrated to align with Trump's shifting stance, left reporters questioning his credibility and core convictions.
The awkward exchange laid bare the internal conflict and strategic confusion plaguing the Republican party as it navigates a complex political landscape with a deeply polarising figure at its helm.
