Speaker Paul Ryan Blasts Trump For Not Disavowing KKK

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House Speaker Paul Ryan waded into the 2016 presidential election fray once against Tuesday after a weekend where the party’s frontrunner Donald Trump refused to disavow Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke during a television appearance.

Ryan, who has been hesitant to weigh in on the politics of the presidential cycle, said that when he sees something that “runs counter” to the ideals of the GOP he is going to speak up.

“If a person wants to be a nominee of the Republican Party there can be no evasion and no games. They must reject any group or cause that is built on bigotry,” Ryan said. “The Republican Party does not prey on people’s prejudices.”

Ryan went on to say that he hopes the GOP would “appeal to their highest ideals.This is the party of Lincoln.”

“If someone wants to be our nominee they must understand this,” Ryan said.

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for korvu korvu says:

    All show - still supports him if nominated.

  2. “The Republican Party does not prey on people’s prejudices… This is the party of Lincoln.”

    Puke.

  3. Why is it that Paul Ryan even had to say this? The GOP is against diversity. Look at a picture of the convention where they always put the camera on the few people of color in the crowd. They are not diverse. They are the party of old white people. They will all vote for Trump if he is the nominee.

  4. Avatar for meri meri says:

    The Windsock Speaketh!

    @whiteb - Because Ryan knows part of the reason he and Romney lost was because too many people forgot “quiet rooms”. Of course now they don’t even pretend to consider it.

  5. “The Republican Party does not prey on people’s prejudices.”

    He didn't even avert his gaze as he mouthed that.

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