During an appearance on Fox News, former House Speaker Paul Ryan faced direct and pointed remarks from host Neil Cavuto regarding his unpopularity among conservative viewers. Cavuto highlighted the strong feelings of betrayal and disdain many conservative Fox News viewers hold toward Ryan, particularly due to his perceived opposition to former President Donald Trump and his role on the Fox News board of directors.
Cavuto candidly noted the flood of viewer comments criticizing Ryan. “A lot of our viewers knew you were coming on, and a lot of them intrinsically dislike you for some reason,” Cavuto remarked, prompting a smirk and chuckle from Ryan. He continued by addressing accusations that Ryan is part of an anti-Trump movement, influencing Fox News with a never-Trumper agenda, and even mentioned Trump’s calls for Ryan’s dismissal from the Fox board.
In response, Ryan maintained a composed demeanor, stating, “I’ve been in politics a long time. I have really thick skin. I don’t think about that. I literally don’t think about it, no.” When asked if Fox News owner Rupert Murdoch ever discussed Ryan’s lack of popularity, he laughed and replied, “No,” acknowledging it as an “unspoken issue.”
Trump has been vocally critical of Ryan, expressing his disdain on Truth Social, where he called for Ryan to be fired by Rupert Murdoch and labeled him a “pathetic RINO” and the “WEAKEST & MOST INCOMPETENT Speaker of the House in its History.” This sentiment among Trump supporters stems from Ryan’s tenure as House Speaker, which was marked by ideological clashes with Trump over government roles, trade policies, and other core GOP issues.
WATCH:
Best moment on Fox News in a long time.
Telling Paul Ryan to his face.
'Our viewers don't like you.'pic.twitter.com/AL0MVbj6Xy
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 12, 2024
Ryan’s career has been punctuated by his opposition to Trump’s rhetoric and policies at times. For instance, he condemned Trump’s comments about a judge’s heritage as “the textbook definition of a racist comment.” Despite his departure from Congress in 2019, his influence and perspectives continue to spark controversy within the Republican Party, particularly among Trump loyalists.
Reflecting on his political philosophy, Ryan told Politico, “I’m an old Jack Kemp guy that believes strongly in inclusive, aspirational politics that are based on bringing people together and not exploiting divisions.” He voiced concerns about the impact of identity politics and modern technology on political goodwill and polarization in the United States.
This interaction on Fox News underscores the deep divisions within the GOP and the contentious nature of Ryan’s political legacy among conservative viewers and Trump supporters.
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