'Tool of Donald Trump': Mike Johnson slammed for reiterating fears about high school students identifying as LGBTQ in campaign email

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA: In a recent campaign email, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, stirred controversy as he expressed concerns about the increasing number of high school students identifying as LGBTQ.

The email, titled "Does America need more God, Patriot?" drew criticism on social media for its perceived insensitivity towards the LGBTQ community.

Johnson, who assumed the role of House Speaker on October 25, faced scrutiny for his Christian views and alleged ties to Christian nationalism, a belief asserting the US as a solely Christian nation.

Critics argue that such views could impact legislation and policies, especially during a period marked by rising LGBTQ hate, violence, and anti-LGBTQ legislation in America.

Details of the campaign email

The fundraising email, obtained by Punchbowl News, stated, "Our culture has fallen so far since the founding of our country, and it's just getting worse. I fear America may be beyond redemption...1 in 4 high school students identifies as something other than straight."

"What are they being taught in school?" Johnson asked.

According to 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.7% of high school students do not identify as straight, with 3.2% identifying as gay or lesbian, 11.9% as bisexual, and 9% as something else or questioning.

The email, disseminated via the National Republican Campaign Committee, the primary campaign arm of House Republicans, continued to decry what Johnson perceived as a "depraved culture" and expressed concerns about potential judgment for collective sins.

"Let's face it- we live in a depraved culture. I didn't want to believe it at first, but I fear God may allow our nation to enter into a time of judgment for our collective sins," Johnson continued, adding, "We have much to repent for if we want to avoid the judgment we so clearly deserve."

Social media backlash against Speaker Johnson

Liberals had a meltdown on social media over Johnson's comments.

"This man needs to be expelled from representing all US Citizens. He is a horrible unjust person and not creating a land of equality but a land of separation and bigotry," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"He doesn’t get that it is none of his damn business," another added.

"The United States Is Not Your Church! Mike Johnson is a Fake faith fraudster. Xenophobic militancy & hate monger," a comment read.

"They say @SpeakerJohnson is the tool of Donald Trump," someone else alleged.

"Why do gay people scare Republicans so much?" another asked.

Exploring Mike Johnson's background and affiliations

Johnson is said to have close ties to former President Donald Trump and has an evangelical Christian background, according to a Newsweek report.

The newly appointed Speaker, who served as senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom from 2002 to 2010, has faced controversy due to ADF's labeling as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Despite these criticisms, Johnson insisted in a statement to Fox News in October, "I also genuinely love all people, regardless of their lifestyle choices."