Donald Trump is expected to endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) later on Friday after hesitating to do so earlier this week, according to reports from Fox News and CNN, citing unnamed sources.
CNN has confirmed Trump plans to endorse Ryan later today.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 5, 2016
Donald Trump will endorse Paul Ryan at his rally in Green Bay, WI tonight, per two sources – via @DanaBashCNN & @Acosta
— Deirdre Walsh (@deirdrewalshcnn) August 5, 2016
Trump’s endorsement of Ryan would mark a complete 180 after a tumultuous week for the Republican presidential nominee. It’s a big surprise from a candidate who typically refuses to back down — he still has yet to directly apologize for his relentless attacks on the parents of a Muslim American soldier who died in combat.
During an interview Tuesday, Trump declined to endorse Ryan in his Republican primary, saying, “I’m just not quite there yet.” He also hesitated to endorse Sen. John McCain (R-WI) in his Republican primary.
His vice presidential candidate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, then endorsed Ryan. And members of the Trump campaign tried to explain away Trump’s snub by saying that the campaign has a policy of staying out of primaries.
But Trump came under criticism for hesitating to back Ryan. Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus was reportedly “apoplectic” that Trump refused to back Ryan. One of his surrogates, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), said that the move was “very self-destructive.” Even Maine Gov. Paul LePage Told Trump he needs more “discipline.”
