Paul Ryan Has Left Congress But He’s Still Praising Trump

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., pose for photographers after a meeting in the Speaker's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. For eight years... FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2016 file photo, President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., pose for photographers after a meeting in the Speaker's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. For eight years, a leaderless Republican Party has rallied around its passionate opposition to President Barack Obama and a rigid devotion to small government, free markets and fiscal discipline. No more. On the eve of his inauguration, Donald Trump is remaking the Republican Party in his image, casting aside decades of Republican orthodoxy for a murky populist agenda that sometimes clashes with core conservative beliefs. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) MORE LESS
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Former House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) spent a lot of time defending President Trump while he was in Congress, and it seems he’s still hesitant to criticize the leader of his party.

During a discussion between Ryan and PBS’ Judy Woodruff Sunday at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Woodruff asked if Trump is the leader of the Republican Party. Ryan answered that he is before offering effusive praise for the President.

“He’s not taking any crap. I mean, he’s taking on political correctness. He’s taking fights that a lot of people want to see fought,” Ryan said. “The forgotten man that he speaks to is a person that finally feels like they’re being taken seriously, they’re being paid attention to. And he’s concerned about their issues.”

“That is the guttural core of what I would call the party base right now, the Trump base,” Ryan added.

Yet when asked if Trump sets a good example for kids, Ryan demurred.

“I answered your question,” he said.

Watch via PBS — Ryan starts talking about Trump at the 57 minute mark.

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