As a potential alternative to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, (R-CA), for the speaker’s seat, Rep. Byron Donalds (R–FL) has seen his profile rise in recent days. His nomination and the nomination of Rep. Hakeem Jeffreys (D-NY), who Democrats have been unified behind, are historic because either one of them would be first black Speaker of House. Rep. Cori Bush (D.MO), a squad member, said that Donalds’ nomination was “not progress”, it’s “pathetic” and “is a pro.” He has since responded to the accusations, having been called out on Twitter and tagged with them.

Donalds tweeted that “nobody asked @CoriBush their opinion on the matter”, tagging her in the same way she had tagged her. Democrats have not only remained united in their support for Jeffries but they have also inappropriately gloated about the long process of choosing a speaker. Let’s have a discussion about the policies and their outcomes before you judge me. He said, “Don’t be a crab stuck in a barrel!”

The congressman’s media account shared a clip from him speaking to Stuart Varney, Fox Business’s host of “Varney & Co” on Thursday morning. He was then asked to answer. Donalds called the tweet “blatantly absurd” and “that stinks, to be truthful with you, man.”

Donalds repeated his call for Bush to be open to debate him. This raises the possibility of “Varney & Co,” as well as other networks like CNN and MSNBC. He stated, “I’m open for all of that.”

He said that Bush’s comments were “completely wrong” and added that “as an African man to a Black woman, I would not have done that to her. It’s a shame you did that.”

He also brought up race, saying that as a Black man to Black women, “I’d never do it to you.” Calling it “a shame that you did it to my.”

Bush has doubled down on her shamelessness about the shameful tweet and highlighted her poor priorities. HuffPost’s Akbar Shahid Ahmed retweeted her tweet and shared a piece he had written with Arthur Delaney.

Ahmed and Delaney wrote:

Bush pointed out on Twitter that the GOP’s policies do not address structural inequities and racism. The Missouri Democrat argued that despite being Black, Donalds supports a policy agenda that perpetuates white supremacy.

HuffPost later obtained additional details from her comments and the conservative pushback she received via her tweet.

“My problem is not with Byron Donalds. His race is not my issue. His Republican status is not my issue. Bush stated that he wasn’t someone they had been promoting over the past two years.

…

She pointed out that while Donalds was being promoted by the GOP, they spoke of his kindness, his background (like Jeffries, Donalds hails from New York) and past struggles.

Bush stated, “It appears as if they are using him as an prop, as well as a tool. Not because they think he is great, or that he has done all of the things to lead them.” I don’t like the way they are using him. They shouldn’t use him in that manner. He must understand that they are only trying to use you… Don’t allow them to do that to your face. Respect and treat you with dignity.

She said, “To hear Chip Roy stand and say this isn’t about color…it absolutely 100% is because if we were nominating him based on his merit and worth, I don’t think any of us would be surprised because we would see him doing leadership things.”

Conservative criticisms of her remarks were deflected by the congresswoman.

“It shows their ignorance. This shows how ignorant they really are. Bush said that they needed to educate them about white supremacy, its appearance, and the patriarchal system.

It’s difficult to believe that Bush is not addressing her issue with Donalds, and that he would dare to be a black Republican with different views than her.

The article continues to rave about Donalds’ being a “hardcore fan” of former President Donald Trump and possibly future President Donald Trump. It also calls on Republicans to vote for McCarthy as speaker.

Rep. Dan Bishop (R.NC), who addressed Bush’s comments, nominated Donalds for the seventh round speaker position. Bishop said that he had spent “a good bit” of time with Donalds recently and declared that “he ain’t no prop,” drawing applause from the audience. He also stated, “And if that were a prop, then he wouldn’t be sitting’ where he’s sittin’.” Bishop stated, “This is the tired old, grotesquely racism rhetoric we’ve seen far to often,” as Bush smiled in her chair.

He also stated that Donalds was not a prop and was a man of personal conviction during the nomination speech.

As a result, “Byron Donalds” and “Cori Bush” are trending on Twitter.

The congressman, and possibly future speaker, has been resilient in the face of chaos. Leah had already highlighted that he wasn’t worried about retribution when he was asked by reporters earlier in the day. He replied, “Man, I am 6’2” and 275. I don’t worry about that.”