A Texas Republican legislator's quick response to Donald Trump's jab at him is sending shockwaves through the party, highlighting deep divisions between establishment figures and conservatives.
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan fired back at President Trump after he criticized him for retiring from politics, saying "New phone. Who dis?" The remark, reminiscent of a 2005 episode of Seinfeld, suggests that Phelan is unfazed by Trump's attacks. However, the former speaker's response may not be as innocuous as it seems.
Phelan's survival against a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in 2024 highlighted the ongoing power struggle between establishment figures and Trump-aligned conservatives. The president's attempts to unseat Republicans who have crossed him have continued despite his party's losses in recent elections.
Trump's opinion on Phelan, who represented Texas House District 21 and served as Speaker from 2021 until 2025, likely originated in 2023 when Phelan led the failed impeachment of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. The former president has previously described Phelan's actions as "fraudulent" and an "absolute embarrassment."
Despite this, Phelan hit back on X, saying "New phone. Who dis?" This response may be seen as a sign that he is determined to maintain his independence from Trump, despite the risks.
The tension between Trump and Phelan has raised questions about divisions within the Republican Party, particularly in Texas. The party's future legislative battles are likely to be influenced by who will succeed Phelan as Speaker of the House.
As one expert noted, "Trump has shown a consistent desire to remake the Republican Party in his image." This trend may continue in the Republican Senate primary, where Trump is thought to be backing Ken Paxton against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
Phelan's retirement has left a vacancy in the Texas House, prompting speculation about who will succeed him. For now, it seems that Phelan is determined to take on Trump and his allies head-on, with his response to their jabs serving as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to his principles.
Former Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan fired back at President Trump after he criticized him for retiring from politics, saying "New phone. Who dis?" The remark, reminiscent of a 2005 episode of Seinfeld, suggests that Phelan is unfazed by Trump's attacks. However, the former speaker's response may not be as innocuous as it seems.
Phelan's survival against a Trump-endorsed primary challenger in 2024 highlighted the ongoing power struggle between establishment figures and Trump-aligned conservatives. The president's attempts to unseat Republicans who have crossed him have continued despite his party's losses in recent elections.
Trump's opinion on Phelan, who represented Texas House District 21 and served as Speaker from 2021 until 2025, likely originated in 2023 when Phelan led the failed impeachment of Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton. The former president has previously described Phelan's actions as "fraudulent" and an "absolute embarrassment."
Despite this, Phelan hit back on X, saying "New phone. Who dis?" This response may be seen as a sign that he is determined to maintain his independence from Trump, despite the risks.
The tension between Trump and Phelan has raised questions about divisions within the Republican Party, particularly in Texas. The party's future legislative battles are likely to be influenced by who will succeed Phelan as Speaker of the House.
As one expert noted, "Trump has shown a consistent desire to remake the Republican Party in his image." This trend may continue in the Republican Senate primary, where Trump is thought to be backing Ken Paxton against incumbent Senator John Cornyn.
Phelan's retirement has left a vacancy in the Texas House, prompting speculation about who will succeed him. For now, it seems that Phelan is determined to take on Trump and his allies head-on, with his response to their jabs serving as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to his principles.
Interesting how Phelan's response is sending shockwaves through the party...like he's not intimidated at all 
. Trump's still got some power, but it seems like Phelan's not gonna back down 
. Guess we'll see who's in charge when Phelan finally hangs up his phone 
. Dade Phelan thinks he's being clever with that "new phone" thingy, but I bet it's just a calculated move to appease Trump and his minions. Meanwhile, we're supposed to believe that's all about defending independence? Give me a break! The powers that be want to keep the sheep in line, and Phelan is just following the script. Mark my words, this is just the tip of the iceberg – more fake loyalty and staged power struggles waiting to happen 
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Their beefs are always so entertaining to watch from afar! But seriously, it's crazy how deep these divisions have become within the Republican Party. It's like they're having an internal power struggle on national TV 
. I think Phelan's response was a smart move, showing that he won't be intimidated by Trump's antics... for now 
. Can we expect more of this kind of sparring in the future? Only time will tell! 
i'm so here for him taking on trump head-on, it's about time someone stood up to that guy 
Phelan's quick comeback might seem innocuous at first, but think about it - he's basically trolling Trump with that "New phone. Who dis?" line 
I'm not buying it - there's something more sinister at play... 
If we look at the data, it's clear that there are two distinct wings of the Republican Party - the establishment types and the conservatives. And right now, the party is grappling with how to reconcile these two factions. It's not just about Phelan or Trump, but about the future direction of the party.
I'd say this situation is also a reflection of the changing nature of American politics. We're seeing more and more instances where politicians are taking on individuals rather than ideologies. The fact that Phelan felt compelled to respond to Trump's jab in such a public way speaks to the level of personal animosity between them.
Ultimately, this situation highlights the need for Republicans to find common ground and work towards a unified platform. It's not going to be easy, but if they can manage to do so, it could lead to some real positive change within the party.
like seriously who's gonna win the texas house seat now that phelan is retiring? i think it's crazy how trumps trying to take over the party again 
I love that he's not afraid to throw shade back at Trump's old man jokes. But seriously, this is huge for the Republican Party in Texas - it shows that there are still some folks out there who aren't willing to play ball with Trump's agenda.
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. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the party handles this 
. phelan's response might seem funny now but it shows the deep cracks in the party 
