Politics

Trump’s Ryan Endorsement Comes At Oddly Opportune Time

REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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It looks like GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump will endorse House Speaker Paul Ryan in his primary race after all, and the timing couldn’t be better.

Two sources told Fox News, the candidate, who initially refused to get behind the Wisconsin Republican, will make the announcement at his first campaign event Green Bay, Wisc., Friday evening.

His endorsement comes following significant political turbulence, Khan controversy aside. Trump’s public waffling on Ryan reportedly made Republican National Committee Chairmen Reince Priebus “Apoplectic,” according to several Tuesday reports. Then Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trump’s vice presidential pick, publicly broke rank Thursday to endorse Ryan.

Topping it all off, Trump’s campaign event kicks when the world’s eyes are largely glued to the opening ceremony of a largely disaster-ridden Rio Olympics.

Ryan, in addition to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Ron Johnson, announced they would not be attending Trump’s Friday rally, citing scheduling conflicts. Trump went as far as to compliment Ryan’s primary opponent, Paul Nehlen, and taking him on social media for his support of his proposal to implement a temporary ban on Muslims entering the country.

The Ryan campaign announced  the speaker never sought billionaire’s help in retaining his seat.

“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,” Ryan campaign spokesman Zack Roday said in a statement.

The primary for Wisconsin’s 1st District will take place Aug. 9. The latest polls indicate Ryan is leading Nehlen by 73 points.

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