Not true, says Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. The lawmaker, who had her nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations pulled by President Donald Trump over fears her seat could fall into the hands of Democrats, all but called Speaker Mike Johnson a liar. Or, at best, she called a veteran D.C. reporter a liar.

“SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON says he is “having conversations” with (Elisa Stefanik) and (Congressman Mike Lawler) about running for gov of NY," Punchbowl News’ Jake Sherman posted to X. “This is not true. I have had no conversations with the Speaker regarding the Governor’s race,” Stefanik said in response.

“Who is lying here, Mike Johnson or Stefanik?” MeidasTouch’s Ron Filipkowski responded. Republicans have been concerned about their already slim majority after Trump nominated multiple House Republicans to serve in his administration. He announced in a Truth Social post last month that he asked Stefanik to remain in Congress instead, suggesting he was concerned about whether Republicans could hold onto her seat in a special election.

"With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat," Trump said, in part, at the time. Stefanik is a loyal supporter of Trump and would have likely been easily confirmed to the position. It appears she was gearing up to leave Congress as she bid her constituents farewell in a district-wide “Thank You” tour last month, according to News 10.

Some social media users called the withdrawal of her nomination “embarrassing”. And Democratic Congressman Jim Himes said at the time that the White House “pulled the rug out from under her.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.