Trump might try to remove Paul Ryan as GOP convention chairman


Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) are scheduled to meet privately on Thursday, but tensions over Ryan's refusal to endorse Trump surfaced over the weekend. On NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, Trump would not rule out the possibility that he'd try to block Ryan from presiding over the Republican National Convention as chairman if Ryan declines to back him by then. "I don't want to mention now," Trump told NBC's Chuck Todd. "I'll see after. I will give you a very solid answer, if that happens." He added that he isn't "annoyed" by Ryan's lack of endorsement, and that if Ryan doesn't fall in line, "I don't think it hurts me at all.... If he doesn't want to support me, that's fine."
Also on Sunday, Trump backer Sarah Palin said she will work to unseat Ryan in the Republican primary in August, citing his refusal to endorse Trump. Ryan is just one issue Trump needs to address before the Republican convention in July. Unless there is a deal, Ted Cruz's almost 600 delegates could vote against Trump at the convention, and Cruz has not said whether he supports embarrassing Trump or not. "It is in Sen. Cruz's interests to eventually be visibly supportive of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee," senior Trump adviser Paul Manafort told The New York Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sets 25% tariffs on auto imports
Speed Read The White House says the move will increase domestic manufacturing. But the steep import taxes could also harm the US auto industry.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump allies urge White House to admit chat blunder
Speed Read Even pro-Trump figures are criticizing The White House's handling of the Signal scandal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Waltz takes blame for texts amid calls for Hegseth ouster
Speed Read Democrats are calling for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and national security adviser Michael Waltz to step down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published