Former President Donald Trump made headlines late last week when he endorsed Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan for speaker of the House.

The Hill contributor Brett Samuels noted that while the move is helpful to Jordan, some observers say it also carries risks for the former president. 

Trump reportedly not pleased that his preference for Jordan was leaked

"It's not clear that Trump is pleased his preference for Jordan was leaked out to the media," Samuels wrote in an article published this past weekend.

This has to do with the fact that Jordan will "face stiff competition" in the race from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.

"If he publicly backed someone and they don’t get it, that looks bad on him," Samuels quoted former Trump White House press aide Sarah Matthews as saying.

While there had been suggestions that Oklahoma Republican Rep. Kevin Hern could run for speaker as well, Hern recently shot the idea down.

I’ve been on the phone 50+ hours with Republican members and what’s clear is we all want UNITY.

I believe a three-man race for Speaker will create even more division and make it harder to elect a Speaker.

Read my letter here: pic.twitter.com/Sea4gPCS94

— Congressman Kevin Hern (@repkevinhern) October 7, 2023

Former Trump White House aide says race will "be really tight"

Matthews suggested that Trump was frustrated by Texas Republican Rep. Troy Nehls' decision to publicly reveal Trump's support for Jordan.

"I don’t think it’s going to completely flip this in Jim Jordan’s favor," Matthews said of Trump's endorsement. "I have to imagine Team Trump is not thrilled he had to come out and that his thinking was leaked."

"It will help Jim Jordan, but I still think it’s going to be really tight and going to be really tough," the former press aide went on to predict.

However, others are more confident about Jordan's chances. They include South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem, who last week said that there is an "80% chance" Jordan will take the gavel.

Noem believes "most members" will back Jordan

"I think he’s probably the guy that most members will land on and give the chance to do it," Noem told Newsmax host Eric Bolling.

Gov. Kristi Noem says there’s an 80% chance Jim Jordan is next Speaker on @NEWSMAX with @ericbolling pic.twitter.com/awfE2fYzUV

— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) October 5, 2023

The governor added that the GOP needs "someone who’s proven that they’ll fight when it’s important" and "who will investigate the corruption in Washington, D.C."