Political chaos in America – still no speaker for US House 

After two days of voting, the US House of Representatives isn’t any closer to electing a Speaker. 

Republican Kevin McCarthy, who has served as the party’s House minority leader for four years, has 20 Republicans standing between him and the gavel – and they aren’t budging. 

Matt Gaetz, one of those so-called “Never Kevins”, described Mr McCarthy as a “desperate guy” and said his request was simple: “For him to drop out of the race.”

For McCarthy, he pushed for the House to adjourn until Thursday, guaranteeing a third day of voting. 

“I don’t think a vote tonight will make a difference,” he said, insisting that progress was being made. “But a vote in the future will.”

Trump backs McCarthy 

In another blow to his campaign, Donald Trump’s pleas for rebel Republicans to back McCarthy appear to be ignored. 

“VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY,” the former president wrote on social media on Wednesday.

Colorado’s Lauren Boebert told the chamber that the former president had spoken to her and other defectors “to tell us to knock this off.” 

But in her nomination speech for an alternative Republican candidate, she said Mr Trump should instead call Mr McCarthy and tell him “it’s time to withdraw.”