Trump Will Not Endorse Two Major Republicans for Reelection
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he has not yet decided whether he will endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan in his bid for re-election.
During an interview, Trump said, “I like Paul, but these are horrible times for our country. We need…very, very strong leadership. And I’m just not quite there yet…”
His statement seemed to intentionally mimic Ryan himself who once said he was “just not ready” to endorse Trump.
In the Wisconsin election scheduled for August 9, Ryan is fighting to retain his seat in the House against his opponent, Paul Nehlen.
Trump has commended Nehlen for running “a very good campaign,” but says that, as for endorsing Ryan, he is “giving it very serious consideration.”
The decision by Trump to withhold his support from Ryan has been called “an extraordinary breach of political decorum,” and is further evidence the Republican Party still lacks unity.
Ryan withheld his endorsement of Trump until June, when he was named the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
A few weeks prior to Ryan announcing his endorsement, Ryan spoke to CNN’s Jake Tapper and said he was not ready to give Trump his support.
The two men have found themselves on opposite sides of several issues recently.
Ryan criticized Trump for remarks he made about Khizr and Ghazala Khan, whose son, U.S. Army Captain Humayun Khan, was killed in service to his country.
Calling Captain Khan a brave example of the sacrifice made by many Muslim Americans, Ryan said, “His sacrifice — and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan — should always be honored. Period.”
Ryan’s spokesman Zack Roday issued a statement which said, “Neither Speaker Ryan nor anyone on his team has ever asked for Donald Trump’s endorsement. And we are confident in a victory next week regardless.”
Another top Republican is also lacking a Trump endorsement.
Senator John McCain, R-Ariz, issued a statement Monday, in which he too rebuked Trump for his remarks about the Khans.
Responding to McCain’s statement, Trump said, “I haven’t endorsed John McCain.”
Trump asserts he takes issue with McCain because of his failure to do more for veterans. Trump said, “He has not done a good job for the vets and I’ve always felt that he should have done a much better job for the vets…. They’re not being treated fairly.”
McCain has not responded to Trump’s remarks. (For more from the author of “Trump Will Not Endorse Two Major Republicans for Reelection” please click HERE)
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