Trump and CNN's Chris Cuomo both thrash Paul Ryan, with different levels of eloquence


In a series of tweets on Thursday night, President Trump hurled insult after insult at former House Speaker Paul Ryan, presumably in response to Ryan's derogatory remarks about Trump in Tim Alberta's new book, American Carnage.
When Ryan announced his retirement in April 2018, Trump hailed him as "a good man" who "will leave a legacy of achievement that nobody can question." On Thursday, Trump said Ryan's "record of achievement was atrocious (except during my first two years as president)," and called him a "failed V.P. candidate" who doomed running mate Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign, and "blew" his House majority "with his poor leadership and bad timing," ultimately becoming "a long running lame duck failure."
CNN's Chris Cuomo also dressed Ryan down Thursday night, for only slightly different reasons. "If integrity is defined by what you do when no one is looking, then perhaps political principle is somewhat of a practical opposite, meaning it is what you stick to when everyone is looking," he began. And Ryan is "Exhibit A" among all those "who staked their reputation on principle caved to political convenience in this administration."
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.
"When he took the speakership, insisting he would do it his way, his spine softened," Cuomo said. "Now that he's retired, he seems to be trying to recast his reticence to speak truth to power." Forget about Ryan "remounting the moral high horse about this president's personal life — I don't care about his personal life," Cuomo said. "Let's stick to serious politics and policy, and remember where Ryan stood while in office."
Alberta's book has other examples of politicians who "once opposed and then became patsies" of "this POTUS," but Ryan "could well have a second act in politics," and "he's going to have to own that he was just like the rest of them, not the best of them," Cuomo said. "This period that we're all living together right now is going to be remembered for a long time, and people will be counted: What they stood for, what they stood against, and absolutely those who stood still."
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.
-
Earth's climate is in the era of 'global weirding'
The Explainer Weather is harder to predict and more extreme
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
What is Kash Patel's net worth?
The Explainer The FBI Director has a number of unique revenue streams
By David Faris Published
-
TV to watch in March, including 'The Studio' and 'Paul American'
the week recommends A true crime story adaptation, a reality show about the ultra-American Paul brothers and a new late night series from John Mulaney
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published