Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) threw his hat in the ring for the House Speaker position, unleashing a torrent of mockery and veiled jokes about accusations surrounding abuse allegations at Ohio State University.
On Tuesday, during the House floor fight against Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) attacked Jordan for his running of a Republicans’ investigation into the weaponization of government – calling it “failure theater."
But, despite the criticism of his role as chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Jordan announced Wednesday he was eyeing the speaker's role.
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The New York Times Pitchbot, an X account that's not associated with the newspaper but makes fun of it's attempts at both-sideism, Wednesday suggested the faux story: "Jim Jordan's detractors say his involvement with a sex abuse scandal at Ohio State should disqualify the Congressman from holding GOP leadership positions. His supporters say he could be a fine Speaker in the mold of Dennis Hastert."
Hastert resigned after allegations he had inappropriate communications with four male Capitol pages, all of whom were underage. Jordan has been embroiled in a sexual abuse scandal involving the wrestling team at Ohio State University and the school's physician. Jordan was an assistant coach at the time, but has said in the past that he didn't know anything about the alleged abuse.
"Amazing performance art for the guys who call everyone a groomer to be led by America's foremost enabler of systemic sexual abuse of students," said the comedy account LOLGOP.
"Hey Republicans!" exclaimed a woman who describes herself as a mom. @MsMariaT went on to ask: "Do you REALLY want to pick Jim Jordan as your next House speaker? The Supreme Court just allowed lawsuits in the OSU sex abuse scandal, to move forward. Jim Jordan will be VERY busy with his own impending legal jeopardy."
Another comedy account on X, "ThisGuy," said that if he's elected Jordan will install new showers for the interns. The abuse Jordan claims not to know about allegedly happened many times in the showers.
Legal analyst Bradly Moss had similar thoughts. "Fascinating dynamic: Jim Jordan, the last person at OSU to realize athletes under his care were being abused, against Steve Scalise, who allegedly called himself 'David Duke without the baggage.'"
Democrat Jennifer Bennon said that Jordan, who "hasn't passed a bill in his 16 years in Congress, is now going to get bills passed to keep our government running? Seriously???"
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Olivia Troye, the former homeland security adviser to ex-VP Mike Pence, described the situation as inevitable. "Let's be honest. It was always going to end up with the far right pushing Trump or Jim Jordan as the next Speaker of the House. This decision was made by many across the GOP when they compromised their integrity in the aftermath of Jan 6, 2021. We're still living the ongoing nightmare."
Comedian and SiriusXMProgress host Dean Obeidallah agreed, saying, "Since Jim Jordan wants to be Speaker this is perfect time to remind everyone the Jan 6 report documents Jordan was "a significant player in President Trump's efforts" to overturn 2020 election. No member of Congress did more to help Trump+Jordan ignored Jan 6 committee subpoena."
"GOP can’t be serious floating Jim Jordan’s name-you could find a better speaker at Radio Shack," said stand-up comedian Noel Casler
"When your top three choices to lead your party are Kevin McCarthy, Jim Jordan, and Steve Scalise—who is evidently “David Duke without the baggage” (um….what?)—it’s time to burn what’s left of your party to the ground and salt the earth," said writer Andrew Worton.
Victor Shi, a Democratic activist, pointed out that, Jordan still hasn't responded to the subpoena to testify about his involvement in the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election.
