House Speaker Mike Johnson sat down with Pod Force One host Miranda Devine for a wide-ranging interview released Wednesday, in which he shared insights into his leadership approach, offered a lighthearted impression of President Donald Trump, and reflected on his relationships in Congress — including one with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as reported by The New York Post.
During the interview, Johnson recalled a conversation in the Oval Office during early talks surrounding a major Republican legislative effort. Johnson shared how President Trump suggested the name “One Big Beautiful Bill” for the package.
“‘What are we going to name it? What are we going to call it?’” Johnson recalled, mimicking Trump’s Queens accent and hand gestures. While Johnson said members of the House Ways and Means Committee had proposed acronyms, Trump was firm on his preference.
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“He goes, ‘No, I just think we call it the One Big Beautiful Bill. Don’t you think that’s great? That’s so simple, it’s great, you know?’” Johnson recounted. He added that Trump wrote the title out in bold letters and passed it around, asking, “Now, can we put an exclamation point?”
Johnson noted he had to inform the president that exclamation points are not typically included in legislative text.
Mike Johnson does Trump impersonations pic.twitter.com/MYUknEAWfD
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Later in the conversation, Johnson described his working relationship with Rep. Nancy Pelosi, stating, “She’s very kind. I try not to make enemies around here, and we have bitter policy disputes and disagreements, but it’s not personal. It shouldn’t be.”
The speaker invoked Ronald Reagan’s “happy warrior” mentality and the 11th Commandment — not to speak ill of fellow Republicans — as an approach he tries to maintain in political discourse.
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Johnson also praised President Trump’s engagement with governing, saying, “He’s dialed in like no Commander in Chief has been in recent memory.”
When asked whether he had any presidential ambitions, Johnson replied, “I don’t think about that. Look, I’ll serve in any capacity I want, but I don’t think about that. Never aspired to it. For that matter, I didn’t aspire to this job.”
Johnson went on to discuss the challenges of leading a divided and slim House Republican majority. “I’m really as much a mental health counselor as I am a legislator, a policy director,” he said.
“You’ve got to do all these things simultaneously, and you have to deal with everyone with their individual preferences and peccadilloes.”
Johnson emphasized his commitment to understanding the members of his conference, saying, “I genuinely love everybody I serve with,” and adding that he has learned “what makes them tick.”
Watch the full episode:
Johnson ascended to the speakership in late 2023 after Republicans removed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) following internal disputes over leadership direction.
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