The Democratic National Committee is seeking to capitalize on a public dispute between Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and GOP nominee Donald Trump by arguing that neither Republican is fit for office.
“Let’s get this straight. Paul Ryan supported Trump when he knew he called women ‘fat pigs’ and ‘slobs,’ and attacked a former Miss Universe over her weight. He supported Trump when he knew he started his campaign by attacking immigrants. He supported Trump when he knew he wanted to ban members of an entire religion from entering the country,” the DNC said Monday in a statement.
The group’s statement was released just hours after Ryan told Republicans Monday morning that he would neither defend nor campaign with Trump ahead of the Nov. 8 election. The speaker also told lawmakers to “do what’s best for you in your district.”
In response to Ryan’s reported comments, Trump shot back on social media, “Paul Ryan should spend more time on balancing the budget, jobs and illegal immigration, and not waste his time on fighting the Republican nominee.”
The DNC wasted no time weighing in on the public feud.
“Trump spread the racist birther conspiracy, disparaged Sen. John McCain for being a prisoner of war, attacked a Gold Star family and mocked an American with a disability — Paul Ryan knew all of this, and supported Trump,” the DNC said Monday.
“Now, following the most recent revelations of some of Trump’s most offensive comments about women on record, Ryan still refuses to revoke his endorsement. It’s clear that Ryan still believes Trump has the judgment and temperament to be president. Trump is not fit to be commander in chief and Paul Ryan isn’t fit to lead the House of Representatives anymore,” the statement added.
Ryan’s attempt to put some distance between himself and Trump comes after the Washington Post published a report last week revealing the GOP nominee once bragged about leveraging his celebrity status in return for sexual favors from women.
“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” Trump bragged in 2005 to “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush. “And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything.”
