Former Speaker Paul Ryan bashes Trumpism, may be setting up presidential run

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After being very careful not to criticize former President Donald Trump, former Speaker Paul Ryan took the gloves off and attacked Trump at a speech Thursday, May 27.

One political observer believed Ryan may be setting up his own presidential run.

Speaking in front of a crowd at the Ronald Reagan Library, former House Speaker Paul Ryan said the Republican Party must choose a new direction.

"It was horrifying to see a presidency come to such a dishonorable and disgraceful end," said Ryan.

He said there are green shoots within the party, but he cautioned against flocking to a potential Trump rerun.

"If the conservative cause depends on the populist appeal of one personality, or of second rate imitations, then we're not going anywhere," said Ryan.

Ryan's tone and denunciation of Trumpism surprised UW Milwaukee Professor Mordecai Lee.

"He was very careful not to criticize President Trump, the most he would say is, 'I could use fewer tweets,'" said Lee.

He said it's possible Ryan is beginning a run for the presidency himself.

"Very shrewdly, by stepping out of Congress, saying he was resigning and wasn't going to run for reelection, it's like he kept his hands clean from that side, that aspect of the Republican Party," said Lee.

If Ryan does run, Lee said that will be good for voters.

"I think it's good for the Republican Party if Paul Ryan really is running for president, because that'll give Republican voters in a primary choice," said Lee.

There are other prominent Republicans who will speak at the Reagan library in the future, such as former Vice President Mike Pence and Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Both are considered presidential hopefuls, too.