What's Up With Speaker Mike Johnson's Black Son?

[Nevilledog]

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/whats-up-with-speaker-mike-johnsons-black-son

No paywall
https://archive.ph/Oupe5

On Speaker Mike Johnson’s first full day in office half the journalism world was looking into the surprise Speaker’s past. In his meteoric one day rise from four term representative to Speaker there was no time for anyone to vet him. But one part of that past came out of left field. Video surfaced of an interview Johnson did with Walter Isaacson just after the death of George Floyd in June 2020 in which he revealed that he had an adopted black son, Michael. Johnson went on to explain that there was no question that his black fourteen year old son Michael faced challenges that his white fourteen year old Will never would. Many on the leftward side of the political spectrum were struck by Johnson’s empathy and frank recognition of discrimination in contemporary America while right wingers denounced him for his wokeness.

I had only heard this story in passing until this evening when TPM Reader RS flagged something odd about the story. No African-American son shows up in any of the family photographs on Johnson’s House website or on his personal Facebook page. Nor does Michael figure anywhere in any of Johnson’s campaign biographies.

As I went further down this rabbit hole tonight I was a bit dumbfounded. Is Michael made up? Is he excluded from family pictures? I was so baffled that I went pretty far down that rabbit hole trying to figure out what was going on.

A bit more poking around revealed that Michael also came up a year earlier in a House hearing on reparations in June 2019. Johnson opposed reparations and noted that his black son Michael did too.

*snip*

[jimfields33]

1. Family members should be off limit especially under 18.

[calguy]

3. I would tend to agree

But in this case, it seems relevant to wonder why he would adopt a black son, but never show him to the public as a member of his family.

[jimfields33]

6. It's possible it's a big brother scenario

Either way. I’m not sure we need to know one way or the other.

[calguy]

8. True, but it is interesting to know more about this unvetted Speaker.

[jimfields33]

10. I guess that's true.

[SlimJimmy]

23. What part of, "kids are off limits", are you not understanding?

And that goes for both sides of the isle. If an adult family member is actively involved in politics, then they are open game. But never the kids ... period.

[Bev54]

25. Kids should be off limit, until a politician uses them in their political speech and opinions.

Then it is fair game to see if what they say is the truth. They should not expect them to be off limits, if they are figuratively parading them out to score a political point.

[IbogaProject]

26. Not about the kid

This is about Mr Speaker and his actions around this kid.

[Bev54]

32. The speaker made it about the kid.

[GoneOffShore]

96. And at 40, he is, by no stretch of the imagination, a 'kid'.

[slightlv]

41. While I generally agree that kids should be offlimits

unless they are in politics and have traded on the family name (as in all the *rump crew except Barron)... this situation is different. This is no kid. There is approximately 11 years difference between this "son" and Johnson. There's a hell of a lot more to this story than is being told, and I'd bet everything coming out of Johnson's mouth then and now about him is a lie. The article said Johnson is 51; Michael is 40. That's not a father/son relationship; unless Johnson had a kick WAY out of wedlock before he was even a tween. No... this falls more in line with the numerous stories we've heard and corroborated about "friends" and "helpers" who end up being in a much more "intimate" relationship with the older man. I'm sorry, but after reading the article and what little I could glean from what was written, that's the first thing my mind went to... especially remembering the picture of whichever R pol it was in front of an elevator with his much younger "assistant." Gods... I hate it when the marbles go rumbling around and leave me only with half formed pictures. But there are other instances... not just coaches. Johnson's story, as far it is recorded in TPM, is downright creepy to me.

[onenote]

44. He has four children by his wife and one adopted child. Not born out of wedlock.

The adopted child, who is black, was adopted when he was 14 and is in his mid-to-late 30s, married, with a family of his own. The other four are 22, 21, 18 and 13.

Its not a creepy story.

[slightlv]

75. Struck me as such reading the article on TPM.

Confusing, I guess I should say at this point. Need to go back and re-read now that I've had a bit more caffeine...

[dchill]

77. Oh!

[KS Toronado]

50. "Then it is fair game to see if what they say is the truth"

That's what all this background digging is about, to see if he's as big a liar as P01135809.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

70. +1

[getagrip_already]

28. They can be off limits, but should be verified to exist

If someone is claiming a black child, or a handicapped child, or an alien from Mars, fine. Just verify they exist and move on.

Don't make a claim you won't back up. Personal or otherwise.

[Valdosta]

18. Maybe the kid just doesn't want to deal with the notoriety.

I know that's how I'd feel in that position.

[stopdiggin]

19. yes, there is some potential for 'relevance' there

but also what looks a clear danger of stepping out of bounds.

The minor comes first (unless there is clear evidence of grievous misuse or malefaction).

[womanofthehills]

65. The video is on YouTube

Says Michael lives in Cal with his wife & 4 kids. Michael chooses to keep his life private.

[womanofthehills]

66. His black son Michael is 35 or 36

He said Michael lives in California with his wife & 4 kids and prefers privacy. Some photos of Michael from 20 yrs ago are on the YouTube video.

[ancianita]

85. Two things are common in white christian adoptions:

the Jesus call in the gospel to take care of little children, and 'welcome the stranger.' That's just my take, since I've been neighbors and church members with a number of religious white families who adopt Black children, some from the CRC church in Michigan, one Catholic family from Boston, and a couple of families in Chicago, one being Black.

[MLAA]

5. Indeed, if they actually exist. In this case the author, based on the summary posted only, can't find

any confirmation of his existence, I’ll try and access the full article. Interesting.

[Nevilledog]

12. He's in his 40s now. The *adoption* was in the 90's.

By going after Hunter Biden the fascists no longer have the right to claim *family* members are off limit.

[stopdiggin]

21. perhaps not. but I do. -(nt)-

[Polybius]

57. I wouldn't exactly compare the two though

Odd that he's in his 50's when Speaker Mike Johnson is only 51 himself.

[Iggo]

115. Nope, it's still wrong.

[Katcat]

17. He was 14 in 2020

So he’d be at least 17 now. Odd story tho.

[Nevilledog]

72. He's in his 40's now and has kids. You are misinformed.

[Mblaze]

27. Perhaps they should be but they never have been.

If Johnson uses a black boy as a type of political/racial beard then we should all know about that. Johnson wasn’t loathe to volunteer that his “black son” was against reparations thus using him politically but since he doesn’t show him in family pictures, the question asks itself.

[Evolve Dammit]

88. good point. Welcome to DU!

[Mblaze]

89. Thank you

[33taw]

29. I believe the son is older than 18. In 2019 he indicated they adopted him 22 years prior.

Not that it matters, but I don't think children should be part of the discussion unless they are involved in politics.

[William769]

30. You have the most level headed & sane post in this thread.

[maxsolomon]

31. 18 for imaginary children, too?

Got it.

[Escurumbele]

35. Hypocrisy is never off limits. If he adopted a black son, and it is his son, why exclude him from everything?

It is not about the son, it is about him. We already know what kind of a person he is, and how dangerous this SOB is, so everything must be on the table for people to learn who he really is.

[onenote]

45. His adopted son is in his mid-to-late 30s, married, with children of his own.

He has indicated that he doesn't want to be used as a political prop and Johnson is abiding by that.

This is a non-story.

[viva la]

79. Johnson is abiding by that?

Actually, he has used "my black son" to support his own views:
Michael also came up a year earlier in a House hearing on reparations in June 2019. Johnson opposed reparations and noted that his black son Michael did too.

[brewens]

55. I'm pretty sure Johnson made him fair game. It wouldn't be the son being attacked anyway. n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

67. NOPE. Not when "Ordained by GAWD" guy is the one who drug him in for consideration

Children are always on the firing line when political parents choose to use them as props and for illustrative purposes. Always. It’s a known job hazard. It’s one thing for a prick like rotting corpse Limbaugh to pull a “Whitehouse Dog” but quite another entirely when Mikey verbally drags around a black son around at his convenience but the actual child is excluded from family portraits or anything seen by the public, IF he exists.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

69. "Off limits,"

as far as what? Do Americans have the right to *wonder* where his supposed adopted Black son is, or if he even exists, since this psycho god-botherer has just been voted speaker of the House? WTF?

My first thought is, they've got him locked in the basement and use him as a servant, and a convenient scape goat: "Well, my adopted Black son thinks reparations aren't necessary for African Americans, so that's that!"

[dchill]

76. Real or not, he's being used as a political...

...parable. It's no one's fault that is 'Michael' is now part of the political discussion. So, I disagree.

[Demovictory9]

92. Black "son" is 40 years old, only 11 years younger than maga mike

[aggiesal]

94. He's in his late 30's, early 40's now. The black son was 14 in 1997 ...

it's in the article.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Link at archive.ph won't let me past the Captcha.

It just goes into a loop, asking me over and over to check the box and sometimes another test.

[calguy]

7. Link worked fine for me

Except that a few paragraphs down I had to join TPM if I wanted to keep reading.

[dalton99a]

4. What black son?

The Anointed and His Saved Family:

[Xavier Breath]

11. Is there a Christmas card where they're all holding AR-15s?

Those poor kids. I hope for them that once they get out into the world and out from underneath his direct influence that they can see his "beliefs" for what they are.

[niyad]

13. all three males have their hands in their pockets.

[Chakaconcarne]

14. That's so they aren't tempted to grope their sisters...

[NowISeetheLight]

22. Same Room

I'm surprised they're allowed in the same room.

[niyad]

101. The duggars came to mind.

[Captain Zero]

98. uh, are those TAN pants as well?

[niyad]

102. quel horreur!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

105. Please explain why your adopted Black son Michael is not in any of Your family pictures??

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

107. +1

[LetMyPeopleVote]

114. One big happy family

Link to tweet

[electric_blue68]

117. Omg! Baaahahahaaaaaa!

😄

Kids in general should be off limits.
But as some posters have said to check out if it's true (is there really a kid - now adult son) esp after being mentioned in a political way:
( "doesn't believe in reparations" ).

[LetMyPeopleVote]

112. To Prove Naysayers wrong...

Link to tweet

[Quakerfriend]

9. Seems to me that he was "adopted" in that they

likely paid to support him but, he did not live with them- much like people do for kids overseas.

[JI7]

15. Is this like Matt Gaetz Son ? Or maybe a George Santos

situation.

[onethatcares]

24. I would imagine

it gets pretty confusing around the holidays with those 3, Gaetz, Santos , and Johnson, setting up a white board as to who's turn it is to have the black son.

[Buns_of_Fire]

34. Maybe it IS "George Santos"! nt

[MontanaMama]

37. Or Amy Coathanger Barrett?

[bottomofthehill]

82. Gaetz and Johnson share Nestor.

[kimbutgar]

16. Sounds like a blind side adoption

Where they got a tax break and admiration for taking in a black son! When in actuality it was sort of bs.

[Escurumbele]

36. And for political reason I would guess, where he can talk about the never seen with him black son.

So Michael, the black son, is only mentioned when it is politically convenient.

[BootinUp]

39. Another clue perhaps. Nt

[viva la]

78. Yes, and he's an adult, and could openly support "DAD" if he wanted to--

But apparently he only gets mentioned as part of the family when "Dad" wants to pretend he isn't working in support of racism.

[Captain Zero]

99. thank you, vivala, you have the nutshell version here

see above

[NowISeetheLight]

20. Not Saying

I'm not saying he doesn't have an adopted black son. The UK Daily Mail ran this wholesome family picture of him. They look pretty Lily White to me.



I will note the article is very extensive about his life, upbringing, religious philosophy, etc
It's a good (and scary) read.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12671147/Mike-Johnson-Speaker-Republican-McCarthy-Trump.html

[Sympthsical]

33. Seems like a fostering situation

The timeline puts him at late 30s, early 40s today. In the picture for the PBS interview with Michael, Johnson and his wife look very young. Easily late 20s.

So Michael is older. There are various bits online that say he's married with four children now. It may be very much a matter of not wanting to be involved in public in any way. He has a wife and children and maybe doesn't want them involved in the scrutiny.

Who knows. But if he doesn't want to be involved, that's his call. I see no reason not to respect it.

[peppertree]

38. He uses him as a prop

Probably adopted him for that very reason.

[Sympthsical]

40. Johnson's a clear variety of assholes

But I don't need anyone to hunt down Michael and stick a mic or camera in his face to know that.

There's plenty there already to establish Johnson's towering sphincterdom without poking around this other person unnecessarily.

Which is where I'm worried about this going. When it comes to the Internet and politics, curiosity can grow to harassment lickety split.

[peppertree]

42. Absolutely. Young Michael is off limits.

Even though most Republicans never stick to that principle, when it comes to Democrats' sons or daughters.

That fat bastard Lumpball, you might recall, in part made a name for himself by attacking Chelsea Clinton - when she was 12!

To say nothing of Malia and Sasha Obama.

To this day, as you know, most Republicans believe the father (or mother!) is someone else.

"Everyone knows Michelle's a man - so how could they be her daughters!!" - they'll tell you, utterly convinced.

[onenote]

46. He's not young, but he's still off-limits if that's his choice.

He was adopted when he was 14. He's in his late 30s now, married, with children of his own.

[peppertree]

48. Ok. Still - I wonder why the "Honorable" Mr. Johnson won't include him in his family photos

But then, I suspect his voters wouldn't appreciate getting a Christmas card with someone like him on it.

Next thing you know, he's getting primaried and all.

[Polybius]

58. It's possible that he doesn't want anything to do with his adopted family

Perhaps he hates his politics.

[peppertree]

60. And he'd certainly have good reason

It's not the first time one hears of adopted children turning on their adoptive parents - either over emotional abuse (like some of Mia Farrow's) or injustices (like the Blind Side's Michael Oher).

Or even natural children - like the beautiful Claudia Conway.

Plus in Speaker Johnson's case, I suspect he has a gay lover on the down-low - quite strain on any family, especially one so cowed by a fundamentalist father (where you can't even talk about anything).

People are saying...

[Nittersing]

87. His daddy is now third in line for the presidency.

We need to vet the shit out of him and his whole family.

Sorry. Not sorry.

[OMGWTF]

110. Second in line for the presidency after VP Harris.

[onenote]

47. He adopted him more than a decade before he went into politics.

Not sure what "prop" value he had when Johnson wasn't a politician.

[peppertree]

52. These politically ambitious types often have their eyes on the prize even before enrolling in college.

Especially, I've noticed, on the right.

In no small part, I imagine, because that's where the big money is.

Which, in a way, makes them...

[onenote]

64. Wouldn't it have made more sense to adopt a baby or very young child.

By the time Johnson started running for office, his adopted son was almost 30 years old.

[milestogo]

51. As long as he gets paid.

[peppertree]

56. It is the Republican way

Of course, though - Lindsey's rent boys must remind him of that too from time to time (Lindsey being notoriously stingy as he is).

[MorbidButterflyTat]

71. Sure

How about family holidays? Graduations? His wedding? Any wedding photos of adopted Mike? His bride? No baby pictures of proud white granddaddy holding his Black grandchildren? Nothing?

Just: "Well my Black son said no reparations, so that settles it!"

[Sympthsical]

73. No one knows their relationship

Maybe not being on a politician's social media is his request. Maybe their relationship has soured. Maybe they're fine and he doesn't want to be targeted in any way given the circumstances (i.e. raging right-winger and a black man). Maybe they're on friendly terms but don't socialize these days, are in different states, etc.

You just about never see me on my family's social media. Not because we don't get along, but because I live 2,000 miles away and generally only squeak in now and then for short visits. Mix in I don't like people posting pics of me without permission. You'd think my mother only had my brother as a son were one to look at her FB page. People are like that.

I don't know his mind, and I don't think there's a need to know there. As I said, we have plain evidence the congressman is a shitheel of the highest order without this.

[Earthrise]

43. He lists "Michael, Hannah, Abby, Jack, and Will" in his speech.

The photo from the Walter Isaacs interview shows a very young Mike Johnson with a teenaged or just a bit younger Michael.

PBS: Rep. Mike Johnson delivers remarks after being elected House speaker

[ecstatic]

93. Conveniently, his entire family's names are Google proof

Maybe we'll hear from one of them one day. It couldn't have been easy living in that household, unless, of course, his new fascist persona is fake. Who knows?

[BadgerMom]

49. K and R

Journalists must ask directly. Perhaps if he doesn’t have his Greek chorus of booing guards, MAGA Mike (as DJT dubbed him) will answer a legitimate question.

[BadgerMom]

59. Mea culpa.

I had read the OP before posting this comment, but not the TPM article. After reading TPM, I still think questioning the Speaker about his relationship with Michael is legitimate. He opened the door by mentioning him years ago. Learning more about Johnson is something that shouldn’t be off-limits. He’s in a leadership position and his past is important to know better. On the other hand, seeking out this man who doesn’t want to be in the spotlight does not seem necessary.

[AverageOldGuy]

53. Leave the children, siblings, parents, in-laws alone . . .

. . . unless they ask for it; for example:

-- Clinton's brother Billy
-- All Trump's children except Tiffany who has nothing to do with the family business, was not named a "special assistant"

[TheProle]

83. Clinton's was Roger

Carter’s was Billy.

[Haggard Celine]

95. Clinton's brother's name is Roger.

You're thinking of Billy Carter, but it doesn't matter really. You're point is still correct.

[Bluethroughu]

54. So the Republicons dropped the video of this screwball

Talking about the issues, he fails to advocate for as a person in a power position, and keeps this son in second class position. He's a scumbag narcissistic psychopath, using this person for his personal promotions, when needed.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

74. Agreed!

"A bit more poking around revealed that Michael also came up a year earlier in a House hearing on reparations in June 2019. Johnson opposed reparations and noted that his black son Michael did too."

Totally legit, right? "Then I let him cook barbecue and sing and dance for the shiny white folk!"

Next up: "My wife and daughters are all staunchly against birth control, women's healthcare, and this new fangled feminazi women's lib. We men are granted hierarchy by our Caucasian blue eyed blond English-only speaking god as heads of households to tell the fallen heathen Eve girl-folk what to do, when and how to do it, and take it and like it.

Also, the good lord told me personally women's orgasms are a dirty, slutty myth!!"

This jerk is vile impotent MAGAt trash. Nothing he threatens is going anywhere near the Senate.

[progressoid]

61. Snort.

apparently we don't read the linked article.

[Smilo]

63. Interestingly enough just read this...........

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/exclusive-mike-johnson-speaks-out-about-adopted-black-son/ar-AA1iXLLo

Exclusive: Mike Johnson Speaks Out About Adopted Black Son

[viva la]

80. "Let me pat myself on the back here."

Johnson says, "And he says to people—he shares his testimony—that were it not for our intervention in his life, he would certainly have joined a gang, gotten on drugs, wound up in prison or dead on the streets somewhere."

So he has indeed used this young man to praise himself.

I personally would never have said that about a child of my own. I wouldn't pretend that my child had no agency or strength except me.

[BootinUp]

91. I doubt there is much Johnson says that isn't creepy in some way. nt

[lonely bird]

97. Ah, Johnson's version of The White Man's Burden

The White Savior

OK.

That being said Johnson’s comments about “saving” the young man and the young man’s alleged statement regarding reparations are entirely self-serving. In addition, to borrow from the Christian apologist C.S.Lewis, nobody gets to know what would have happened. Perhaps the young man was convinced to walk the straight and narrow. Perhaps he wasn’t at that time but did later. Perhaps he had a falling out with Johnson. Perhaps they have a great relationship but simply does not want to be mixed up in politics.

It really doesn’t matter. Someone will likely track the man down due to this. But even that doesn’t matter. Johnson used him for political gain. Which is unsurprising.

[Farmer-Rick]

108. I've seen these white Christian Nationalists adopt older children

Especially minority children so they can get some free labor and look saintly in the eyes of their fellow Christian Nationalists.

The churches frequently have a favorite adoption center or foster care facility they support. And that center will fudge requirements if they go to the right church. But it's not out of kindness they take these kids in.

There was a whole church that was raided for abusing their adopted children for free labor. The black adopted kids frequently lived in shacks without running water or heat. While the white children lived in the big farm house. It's particularly easy to hide in rural areas.

The adopted children were supposedly home schooled and were required to do heavy labor around the farm.

There was a big article about the raid and the children but I can't find it now. The Christian Nationalists are still doing it but they are more quiet about it.

Maybe MAGAt Mike was going to try the free labor thing but found it to be more work than reward? He only adopted one kid.... supposedly.

[Mike Nelson]

68. Hmmm...

... sounds like Christian charity. I think it's fair to question Mr. Johnson Sr. about the circumstances... but would leave Mr. Johnson Jr. alone, unless he wants a public life.

[marble falls]

81. He holds the horses when men come by the house to talk to big daddy.

[SouthernDem4ever]

84. So other than this adopted child

Last edited Fri Oct 27, 2023, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

What else has Magat Johnson done to lift up the lives of others like him? Any legislative issues or priorities that fall in in line with his empathies? Or is he just a fan of Horatio Alger?

[garybeck]

90. link doesn't work n/t

not complaining, just sayin i'd like to read the rest of the article if anyone has a good link

[niyad]

100. "took custody of". .not "adopted". That just sounded creepy to me.

But then, everything that hate-filled, misogynistic, christofascist scum says sounds creepy to me.

[Irish_Dem]

111. Took custody, not adopted?

Yes does raise some questions, doesn't it?

[NoMoreRepugs]

103. The man is in the short line to potentially become POTUS. Anything and everything

needs to be looked at. Anyone here think that the Billionaire Boyz club think tanks and organizations didn’t spend tens of millions digging on Democratic leaders the past 30+ years??

[hatrack]

104. Schrodinger's Adopted Black Son - Mind-bending AND instructive!!

[LiberalFighter]

106. Have to wonder with his religious views if he also opposed

Mixed race marriages?

[Army Brat]

109. TPM might want to use Google

The full story is out there. This article is just stupid.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

113. To prove naysayers wrong.....

Link to tweet

[Iggo]

116. This is fucking sick.

What’s the matter with you people?