Donald Trump praises Paul Ryan as 'like a fine wine' at Wisconsin victory rally, as crowd boos


President-elect Donald Trump took his "thank you" victory tour to West Allis, Wisconsin, on Tuesday night, and Wisconsin's Republican political leadership was there with him. Standing in front of decorated Christmas trees, Trump called Gov. Scott Walker, one of Trump's rivals for the GOP nomination, a "tough" competitor and "great governor," then pointed to House Speaker Paul Ryan, with whom Trump has had a rocky relationship.
"Speaker Paul Ryan — I've really come to — oh no! I've come to appreciate him," Trump said, as his crowd started booing. "He has been terrific, and you know, honestly, he's like a fine wine: Every day goes by, I get to appreciate his genius more and more. Now if he ever goes against me, I'm not going to say that, okay? He's a great guy, and we have some amazing things in store," saying that Ryan is going to lead the way on taxes and ObamaCare. Trump is a teetotaler, so it wasn't clear if his "fine wine" metaphor was actually a compliment, especially in beer-loving Milwaukee.
"Merry Christmas, God bless you, thank you, Wisconsin," Trump concluded, as the Rolling Stones' "You Can't Always Get What You Want" began over the loudspeaker and Walker and Ryan came out to shake Trump's hand. You can watch some highlights of the speech below. Peter Weber
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.
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.
-
ICE agents take down Lady Justice | June 21 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday’s political cartoons include ICE, Donald Trump as a lion tamer, and ordering from the Bible
-
5 editorial cartoons about ICE raids
Cartoons Political cartoonists take on ICE raids, harvesting Big Macs for Donald Trump, and what to do when Stephen Miller shows up at the front door
-
Grilled radicchio with caper and anchovy sauce recipe
The Week Recommends Smoky twist on classic Italian flavours is perfect to grill, drizzle and devour
-
Trump's LA deployment in limbo after court rulings
Speed Read Judge Breyer ruled that Trump's National Guard deployment to Los Angeles was an 'illegal' overreach. But a federal appellate court halted the ruling.
-
Marines, National Guard in LA can detain Americans
speed read The troops have been authorized to detain anyone who interferes with immigration raids
-
Trump vows 'very big force' against parade protesters
Speed Read The parade, which will shut down much of the capital, will celebrate the US Army's 250th anniversary and Trump's 79th birthday
-
Smithsonian asserts its autonomy from Trump
speed read The DC institution defied Trump's firing of National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet
-
Trump sends Marines to LA, backs Newsom arrest
speed read California Gov. Gavin Newsom is filing lawsuits in response to Trump's escalation of the federal response to ICE protests
-
Trump foists National Guard on unwilling California
speed read Protests erupted over ICE immigration raids in LA county
-
Supreme Court lowers bar in discrimination cases
speed read The court ruled in favor of a white woman who claimed she lost two deserved promotions to gay employees
-
Trump-Musk relationship implodes in taunts, threats
speed read Musk said Trump's multitrillion bill would cause a recession and accused the president of involvement with Jeffrey Epstein