RNC Chairman Priebus 'Apoplectic' Over Trump's Refusal to Endorse Ryan
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is "apoplectic" over Donald Trump's refusal to back House Speaker Paul Ryan or Sen. John McCain, a top Republican source said.
Priebus called several Trump staffers, including campaign manager Paul Manafort, to express his "extreme displeasure" with Trump's comments, the source with knowledge of the conversations told NBC News.
Trump, in an interview with The Washington Post published Tuesday, said of Ryan "I'm not quite there yet" — echoing language used by Ryan when he was reluctant to endorse Trump in May. Ryan eventually endorsed the GOP nominee. A spokesperson for Ryan said Tuesday neither Ryan nor anyone on his team sought an endorsement from Trump.
The friendship between Priebus and Ryan goes back decades. Priebus was the GOP chairman for Ryan's congressional district before he was the state party chair. Ryan credited Priebus with the Republican takeover of Wisconsin in 2010.
There was talk Tuesday that key Republicans could come out against Trump. If Trump falls further in the polls, the party could come up with a backup plan to protect downballot races, the source said. "We have to figure out how to tread water," the source said.
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