Trump on Palin's Anti-Ryan Stance: She's 'Very Much a Free Agent'

Donald Trump Monday said that he had "nothing to do" with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's weekend declaration that she is backing House Speaker Paul Ryan's opponent in his next primary election bid, commenting that he knew nothing about it before Sunday.

"Sarah Palin endorsed me," Trump told CNN "New Day" host Chris Cuomo, answering a question over whether he wants Palin "trying to turn people against Paul Ryan" and if that is how he's "supposed to unify the party."

"She's a terrific person," Trump continued. "Let me finish what I wanted to say. Okay? I had nothing to do with that. Sarah's very much a free agent. She's a terrific person but very much a free agent and I didn't know about this until yesterday."

And, Trump continued, "I guess she's been fighting or endorsing somebody running against Paul Ryan. And I didn't know about it until yesterday when I read about it."

Cuomo pointed out that Trump has said that he wants Ryan's backing, and the presumptive GOP presidential nominee agreed that he has "always liked him."

"He called me not so long ago, a number of weeks ago, he was very supportive and nice," said Trump. "I thought everything was fine and then I was blindsided. We'll see what happens. Chris, I think you know this better than anybody. The Republican party, because of me, has received more votes than anytime in its history during these primaries."

Palin sparked the debate over the weekend when she told CNN's "State of the Union" anchor Jake Tapper that she thinks Ryan is "soon to be 'Cantored,' as in Eric Cantor," referring to former GOP House majority leader who was ousted in a shocking upset in 2014 when challenger Dave Brat ran to his right in a Virginia primary.

Paul Nehlen, who is opposing Ryan, endorsed Trump soon after the House Speaker said last week that he was not quite ready to endorse the GOP candidate. Palin said Sunday that she has not yet told Nehlen about her endorsement, but she "will do whatever I can for Paul Nehlen."

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