The three Republicans who were expected to participate reportedly declined the invitation.
Topline
The Fox News House speaker debate was called off Friday, hours after it was announced, when the three Republicans who were invited to participate declined the invitation amid concerns within the GOP that the televised event could showcase and deepen divisions within the party.Key Facts
The event was called off after the speaker candidates—Reps. Jim Jordan (Ohio) and Steve Scalise (La.)—agreed not to participate, according to multiple reports.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), who was among the planned debate candidates even though he has not made a decision about running for the leadership role, encouraged Republicans to instead have a “family discussion” about the next speaker, rather than airing their grievances on national television, he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
