Speaker Mike Johnson Cancels AmFest Appearance After Backlash Over Spending Bill
House Speaker Mike Johnson has canceled his appearance at Turning Point USA’s America Fest in Phoenix, Arizona, following intense criticism from conservatives over his handling of a bloated government spending proposal. The bill, unveiled Tuesday night, faced immediate pushback for its excessive provisions and lack of conservative priorities, with even allies of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy questioning Johnson’s leadership.
Human Events senior editor Jack Posobiec announced Johnson’s withdrawal from the event, stating, “Mike Johnson has canceled his AmFest appearance this weekend.” The cancellation came amid growing discontent among conservatives, who accused Johnson of betraying the promises made when he replaced McCarthy as speaker.
America Fest, an annual gathering of young conservatives and grassroots leaders, features prominent figures like President-elect Donald Trump, TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk and other Republican commentators. Johnson’s absence from the event highlights his waning support within a group that should have been one of his strongest bases of support.
Criticism of the spending bill came from across the conservative spectrum, with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy leading the charge. Musk, who called the package “the biggest piece of pork,” publicly urged Republicans to vote it down. After Musk’s comments and additional pressure from Trump, Johnson scrambled to find a “plan B” to salvage his leadership and appease critics.
Trump expressed support for Johnson but warned that his speakership depends on decisive action. “He will easily keep his role as Speaker of the House if he acts tough and gets rid of all the traps being set by the Democrats, which will economically and, in other ways, destroy our country,” Trump said on Fox News.
Johnson’s decision to cancel his AmFest appearance has fueled skepticism about his commitment to conservative principles. For many attendees, the event represents a movement aimed at pushing the country forward, making Johnson’s absence symbolic of the disconnect between Republican leadership and its voter base.
