Former Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has kept a relatively low profile since retiring from Congress last year, but he recently spoke out at a lecture in Flordia regarding President Donald Trump and his prospects for reelection in 2020.
Ryan said:
“The person who defines that race is going to win the race. If this is about Donald Trump and his personality, he isn’t going to win it.”
It's no secret that Donald Trump is obsessed with winning, as is one of his most valiant defenders and eldest son: Donald Trump Jr.
Trump Jr. responded to Ryan's words, and he didn't hold back.
Pretty rich. Mitt Romney’s failed 2012 running mate, the speaker who lied to us and didn't deliver Wall funding (an… https://t.co/lAvXuGZ3nD— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1552406525.0
Trump Jr. and Paul Ryan represent two different sides of the same GOP coin. During his tenure as speaker, Ryan appealed to Republican ideologies that formed before the Tea Party, often stretching to defend Trump while simultaneously condemning his reckless behavior.
Meanwhile, Trump Jr. appeals heavily to Tea Party Republicans and the alt-Right, frequently amplifying rhetoric that is unpresidential even by his father's standards. It was this base that turned against Paul Ryan, dismissing him as ineffective at best and harmful to the Republican party's hold over the government at worst.
Many of Ryan's critics sided with Trump Jr.
@DonaldJTrumpJr I screwed America and President Trump at the same time! https://t.co/2MBxX1WUBi— Dave Hayes (@Dave Hayes) 1552407180.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr Paul Ryan didn't win Wisconsin in 2012. Four years later, @realDonaldTrump did.— Joshua Mercer (@Joshua Mercer) 1552408524.0
@BreitbartNews Probably the one person who was most responsible for sabotaging Tumps agenda. Thank god he’s gone— Keith Fontaine (@Keith Fontaine) 1552400084.0
@BreitbartNews Paul who? Deep State Paul.— Kevin Rousey (@Kevin Rousey) 1552404205.0
But Trump Jr. wasn't short of critics either.
Many pointed out the shortcomings of his father and family.
@DonaldJTrumpJr Fairly sure you’re in no position to brag about winning, when your family’s deeply embroiled in cor… https://t.co/Ce8KbqCBcl— Mike P Williams 🌹 (@Mike P Williams 🌹) 1552406731.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr LOL, your daddy lost The House. He handled it like he did his marriage to your mom, making casinos… https://t.co/VvPXiSaFTT— Cliff Schecter (@Cliff Schecter) 1552407118.0
@DonaldJTrumpJr Trump lost the House by a margin of 10,000,000 million votes. Ryan wasn't even running.— Ferik (@Ferik) 1552406904.0
We'll see who was right when the 2020 election finally comes to fruition.
Only 20 or so months to go.