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Presidential Election

Paul Ryan Won't Defend Trump Now, But He Won't Unendorse Him Either

Ryan's decision came the same day Trump's running mate made his first public appearance since the release of a lewd Trump tape.

Paul Ryan Won't Defend Trump Now, But He Won't Unendorse Him Either
Getty Images
By Lauren Stephenson
SMS
October 10, 2016

"You know, I'm automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything," Donald Trump said in a conversation aboard the Access Hollywood bus in 2005.

"Whatever you want," Access Hollywood host Billy Bush responded.

"Grab them by the p----. You can do anything," Trump said. 

The fallout from the soundbite heard 'round the world is now shaking up Congress.

House Speaker Paul Ryan is apparently still so "sickened" by Donald Trump's comments in the 11-year-old tape that he's decided to stop defending Trump. 

SEE MORE: Trump's Sexual Harassment Allegations Start Way Before That Tape

Ryan's staff uninvited Trump to a campaign rally held in Wisconsin on Saturday. 

On Monday, Ryan held a conference call with Republican members of the House to try to figure out how to approach the Trump situation. 

According to reports, he told his colleagues he will focus on winning congressional elections to keep the Republicans' majority. 

But Ryan could end up being the loser in this situation. Some House members were reportedly furious with him. 

According to The New York Times, one congressman called those distancing themselves from Trump "cowards."

But if you think not defending Trump means Ryan's no longer supporting him, you're wrong. Ryan isn't pulling his endorsement of the Republican nominee.

For his part, Trump responded on Twitter, saying Ryan should stop fighting him.

SEE MORE: Trump's Video Leak Almost Completely Overshadowed Clinton's Email One

Meanwhile, Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, made his first public appearance since the tape surfaced. He seemed to put to rest the rumors that he could drop out of the campaign.

"He showed humility to the American people, and then he fought back and turned the focus to the choice that we face, and I'm proud to stand with Donald Trump," Pence said at a rally in North Carolina on Monday.