Donald Trump’s campaign has reached out to House Speaker Paul Ryan, according to a spokesman for the Wisconsin Republican.
“We have heard from the campaign but the two have not yet spoken. We expect the speaker to be in touch with all the remaining candidates soon to discuss our efforts to build a bold conservative policy agenda for 2017,” Brendan Buck said in a written statement.
Buck declined to identify who from the campaign contacted their office.
Ryan, who as House speaker will preside over the GOP convention in July, repeatedly cites his role in the party as the reason he will remain neutral in the 2016 presidential race.
On Tuesday, he criticized Trump for failing to denounce white supremacist groups, but when asked if he’d back the billionaire businessman if he wins the nomination, the speaker replied, “my plan is to support the nominee.”
Ryan’s office declined to comment on Trump saying at his Tuesday night press conference that the speaker would “pay a big price” if he doesn’t get along with him.
House GOP Whip Steve Scalise brushed off Trump’s comment about Ryan, telling CNN on Wednesday, “Look, I think right now that’s probably his way of reaching out an olive branch to the speaker.”