House Speaker Paul Ryan is identified as the man in an October 2016 audio recording telling others he would never defend Donald Trump again.
Breitbart News said it obtained the tape recording of the man it says is Ryan talking by phone to fellow Republicans in the House. The recording was made Oct. 10, right after the controversial Access Hollywood tape of then-candidate Trump was leaked, according to the website.
"His comments are not anywhere in keeping with our party's principles and values," the man identified as Ryan can be heard saying.
"There are basically two things that I want to make really clear, as for myself as your Speaker. I am not going to defend Donald Trump — not now, not in the future. And I'm not going to be campaigning with him over the next 30 days."
Breitbart reported the call was intended for just House Republicans, but it was unclear how many took part in the call.
On the tape, a woman can be heard opening the call, but it is unclear who she is.
The man identified as Ryan goes on to say: "Look, you guys know I have real concerns with our nominee. I hope you appreciate that I'm doing what I think is best for you, the members, not what's best for me. So, I want to do what's best for our members, and I think this is the right thing to do.
"I'm going to focus my time on campaigning for House Republicans. I talked to a bunch of you over the last 72 hours and here is basically my takeaway. To everyone on this call, this is going to be a turbulent month.
"Many of you on this call are facing tough reelections. But with respect to Donald Trump, I would encourage you to do what you think is best and do what you feel you need to do.
"But the last thing I want to do is to help Hillary Clinton get the presidency, and get Congress," Ryan said. "Look, she's a failed progressive. She's running an abysmal campaign. I mean, it's just — it's amazing how easily she could be beaten.
"She will take this country in the wrong direction. And the last thing we need is four more years of Obama policies or two years of a Clinton presidency with a Democrat Congress."
Meanwhile, the New York Daily News reported that Ryan made good on his promise to not campaign for Trump.
But it noted he has repeatedly sided with Trump since the inauguration.
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