House Speaker Mike Johnson isn't losing any sleep over Jared Kushner's recent chat with the potential next Speaker. In fact, he's telling everyone not to count out the GOP just yet.

Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and outside adviser, met privately with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Johnson was asked about it on Fox News Sunday. His response? A mix of dismissal and confidence.

"I heard about it the first time this morning," Johnson said. "I know Jared is a smart guy and he hedges bets, but I'm telling you what, you better not bet against the House Republicans."

Johnson admitted he didn't know what the meeting was about, adding, "I know Jared has interests in lots of other things going on. He's not really directly involved in the admin, at least in the day-to-day in the White House."

The Associated Press reported that Kushner and Jeffries met recently in New York, covering topics like housing, immigration, and the cost of living. Kushner also floated the idea of Jeffries meeting with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. The two have history, having worked together on criminal-justice reform before.

The stakes here are pretty straightforward: if Democrats win back the House in November, Jeffries would almost certainly become Speaker. Trump himself has said he'd "probably get along" with Jeffries if that happened, which is a notable shift in tone.

Johnson, though, is brushing off the historical headwinds. He argued that Republicans will defy the usual midterm slump that hits the president's party.

"I've been all around the country the last several weeks," he said. "This is gonna come down to a race of about 19 seats that will decide the fate of the republic."

He framed November as a "contrast election," betting that Republican candidates and voter enthusiasm will carry the day. RNC Chair Joe Gruters echoed that optimism, saying he's "very optimistic" the GOP holds both chambers.

But the polling tells a different story. An August Reuters/Ipsos survey found registered voters preferred Democratic congressional candidates 42% to 37%. Another Reuters/Ipsos poll put Trump's approval at 33%, the lowest of his presidency.

The AP notes that Republicans are defending a slim House majority, and control could hinge on a handful of battleground districts. Democrats are hoping to channel the energy of 2018, when a backlash against Trump's first term swept them into power.

So while Johnson projects confidence, the numbers suggest a tough road ahead. But hey, in politics, stranger things have happened.