House Speaker Ryan refuses to respond to Trump's provocation

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan is refusing to respond to Donald Trump's kind words for Ryan's Republican primary opponent.

So says Ryan's spokesman Zack Roday, who emails: "Rather than engage in a back-and-forth, the speaker is going to remain focused entirely on ensuring we deliver strong Republican majorities this fall."

Trump earlier had tweeted praise by name to Ryan's opponent, businessman Paul Nehlan, who has been supportive of Trump.

Ryan earlier in the day had referred to Trump, without mentioning his name, as a "different kind of nominee." Speaking to a donor gathering hosted by the Koch brothers network, Ryan warned against running a "a vague, platitude election" or "a personality contest" and then expecting "transformational, once-in-a-generation reform." Trump has offered few details on his policy proposals.

Additionally, Ryan has not backed up Trump in his spat with the Muslim parents of a decorated Army veteran killed in Iraq in 2004.