Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) criticized former President Donald Trump during a Fox News interview this week, calling him “unfit for office.” The criticism comes as the former president solidified his support among the Republican Party base, especially since his felony conviction last month.
Trump told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that he knew others “who also shared your same concerns about Donald Trump that sort of said, all right, we’re rallying around Donald Trump.”
“You said that would not be the case with you. You had said that he’s a populist and an authoritarian narcissist. That character is too important to me, and it’s a job that requires the kind of character he just doesn’t have,” Ryan said.
“That’s pretty strong,” he said.
Ryan emerged as a young conservative member of the house and was the Republican Party’s 2012 nominee for vice president.
Despite his recent comments, Ryan’s influence in the party has declined significantly. Trump’s polling numbers among Republicans have not faced a significant deterioration following his conviction in a New York court.
Ryan emerged as a key figure during Trump’s administration. Following the resignation of former House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Ryan was speaker during a significant portion of Trump’s term.
The former speaker played a significant role in passing Trump’s signature Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which many Republicans credit with reinvigorating the economy. The move earned praise from Trump at the time.
However, the two have become significant political rivals since Ryan left the House. This is not the first criticism from Ryan against the former president.
Last month Trump sharply criticized Ryan on social media.
Rupert Murdoch should fire pathetic RINO Paul Ryan from the Board of Fox. Ryan is a loser, always has been, and always will be. He was the WEAKEST & MOST INCOMPETENT Speaker of the House in its History. Fox will sink to the absolute bottom of the pack if Paul Ryan has anything to… pic.twitter.com/sRUDBrtW4k
— Donald J. Trump Posts From His Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) May 9, 2024
“Rupert Murdoch should fire pathetic RINO Paul Ryan from the Board of Fox. Ryan is a loser, always has been and always will be. He was the WEAKEST & MOST INCOMPETENT Speaker of the House in its History,” wrote Trump.
Trump said that “Fox will sink to the absolute bottom of the pack if Paul Ryan has anything to do with it!”