Rep Troy Nehls ripped after he calls Paul Ryan 'piece of garbage' for claiming Trump is 'unfit' to be president

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Troy Nehls sparked a heated online debate after calling former Speaker Paul Ryan a “piece of garbage” following Ryan’s criticism of former President Donald Trump.

Nehls, a staunch Trump supporter, reacted strongly to Ryan's statement that Trump is “unfit for office” and his vow not to vote for him in the upcoming election.

Rep Troy Nehls suggests ex-Speaker Paul Ryan should be kicked out of the party

Nehls expressed his frustration, accusing Ryan of betraying the Republican Party by not supporting Trump.

“Paul Ryan, you’re a piece of garbage. You’re a piece of garbage. And we should kick you out of the party,” Nehls said on CNN.

“For Paul Ryan to say he’s not voting for Donald Trump — that’s the problem with some of our Republicans. It’s guys like that,” he added.

Ryan's criticism came during an appearance on Fox News where he explained his decision not to support Trump in 2024.

“I voted for him in 2016, hoping that there was going to be a different kind of person in office, and I do think character is a really important issue,” Ryan stated.

“If you put yourself above the constitution, as he has done, that means you’re unfit for office,” he added.

Ex-Speaker Paul Ryan called Donald Trump 'unfit' to run for office

Ryan in the interview also mentioned the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol as part of his reasoning, though he noted that other factors contributed to his decision.

“I think it really just is character at the end of the day,” he added according to The Hill. 

“And the fact that if you’re willing to put yourself above the Constitution — an oath you swear when you take office, federal office, whether it’s president or a member of Congress — you swear an oath to the Constitution and if you’re willing to suborn it to yourself, I think that makes you unfit for office," he said during the interview.

Nehls criticized Ryan's stance, stating loyalty to Trump as essential for Republicans. “Don’t go spouting your mouth off and saying you’re a conservative,” he added. “You’re spitting in the face of the leader of our party, Donald Trump. I mean, grow up a little bit.”

Paul Ryan prefers principles over populism, says he's a 'conservative Republican'

Responding to Trump’s social media post labeling him a RINO (Republican in name only), Ryan clarified his position.

“Fealty to Trump is what RINO is, meaning that if you don’t pledge fealty to this man, then you are a RINO. It used to mean a liberal Republican versus a conservative,” Ryan said.

“I’m a conservative Republican. He’s a populist. He’s not a conservative. I want to see someone who’s — who has fidelity to principles. I would prefer a party that is based on principles, not personality or populism.”

Internet reacts to Rep Troy Nehls's comments on Paul Ryan over Donald Trump's remarks 

The controversy sparked a diverse range of reactions on social media.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "Conservatism died when Trump entered the Party. And IMO, Republicans have turned over the name to MAGA. It is now the Party of Trumpism."

Another commented, "Paul Ryan knows what is best for America! And it's not Trump," while another opined, "Paul Ryan was a failure in the House."

Supporters of Ryan praised his stance, with comments like, "Good to see Paul Ryan’s political courage. He will be proved right when the cult dissolves."

One more wrote, "He is right!" Another penned, "Paul had a remarkable chance to do something truly incredible for the country. Instead, he let his jealousy, greed, and self-interest take over. He is now completely irrelevant."

"For every brave Republican politician who dares to speak out against the orange Mussolini, there are 1 million people talking against the brave one," read another tweet.

One noted, "Well, that's because Troy Nehls emulates Trump in many ways."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.