Former House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican from Wisconsin, made it clear on Tuesday that he would not be casting his vote for former President Trump in the upcoming November election. Instead, he indicated that he would be opting to write in the name of another candidate. Ryan’s decision reflects his personal stance on the matter, highlighting his divergence from the former president’s policies and leadership.
According to Ryan, who departed Congress in 2019, character holds immense significance. In an interview with Yahoo Finance at the Milken Global Institute Conference, he expressed his belief that the role of a politician demands a level of character that the individual in question simply lacks.
“I do have to say, I strongly disagree with [President Biden] when it comes to policy,” he remarked. “In the previous election, I voted for a Republican candidate, and I intend to do the same this time around.”
During Trump’s first two years in the White House, Ryan, who led the Republican House majority, emerged as a vocal critic of the former president. He firmly believes that Trump does not embody true conservatism, but rather exhibits traits of an “authoritarian narcissist.” Notably, Ryan publicly supported former Representatives Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) for their brave stance against the former president.
In a recent interview, Ryan commented on the historical patterns of narcissism in his tendencies. He noted that the former president’s actions were primarily driven by a desire for popularity and personal gratification in the moment.
“He doesn’t adhere to the traditional labels of classical liberalism or conservatism,” he explained at the time. “His thinking leans more towards authoritarianism, and he has successfully garnered a significant portion of the Republican base who resonate with his stance as a cultural warrior.”
According to the former Speaker, it is abundantly clear that Biden emerged victorious in the 2020 election, despite the persistent claims made by the former president and his supporters.
In a 2021 interview, Ryan adamantly denied any claims of rigging or theft in the election. He stated, “It was not rigged. It was not stolen.” According to Ryan, the election results were clear: Donald Trump lost, and Joe Biden emerged as the rightful winner.
After dedicating two decades to representing Wisconsin’s 1st District, Ryan decided to step away from Congress. Many may also remember him as Sen. Mitt Romney’s (R-Utah) running mate during the 2012 presidential election.
Romney, who made the announcement in September that he will retire from the Senate at the end of his term, has also surfaced as a vocal critic of the former president.