Trump praises Ryan’s primary challenger

Donald Trump praised House Speaker Paul Ryan’s primary challenger, who has condemned the Wisconsin Republican’s criticism of the GOP presidential nominee. 

{mosads}Businessman Paul Nehlen’s campaign penned a piece on its website that knocked Ryan for saying he rejects “a religious test for entering our country.”

Nehlen says that Ryan has misunderstood Trump’s proposals, which would temporarily ban immigrants from certain countries with terrorist groups from coming into the United States.

“The problem with Paul Ryan is his constant knee-jerk reactions to anything controversial Donald Trump might say without completely understanding the issue,” Nehlen’s campaign wrote on Monday. “He’s LOOKING for a way to contradict and criticize Mr. Trump because he knows the liberal press will eat it up.”

Trump responded Monday night, tweeting, “Thanks to @pnehlen for your kind words, very much appreciated.”

The real estate mogul has sparked a firestorm among both Democrats and Republicans over his remarks about Khizr Khan — whose son, Army Capt. Humayun Khan, was killed by a suicide bomber in 2004.

Khan delivered a sharp rebuke against Trump last week at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Ryan’s spokeswoman issued a statement to CBS News over the weekend denouncing Trump’s comments.

“The speaker has made clear many times that he rejects this idea, and himself has talked about how Muslim Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country,” AshLee Strong said in a statement.

Ryan continues to support Trump for president, but he hasn’t been afraid to break from the GOP nominee and express his distaste for his rhetoric.