Paul Ryan: Steve King Comment Doesn’t Reflect What Makes America Special, I Hope He Misspoke

On Fox News earlier tonight, Speaker Paul Ryan responded to recent comments made by Steve King that earned widespread condemnation, including from fellow Republicans:

Wilders understands that culture and demographics are our destiny. We can’t restore our civilization with somebody else’s babies. https://t.co/4nxLipafWO

— Steve King (@SteveKingIA) March 12, 2017

Ryan told Bret Baier said he certainly disagrees with that statement. He talked about the greatness of the American melting pot and how “the condition of your birth doesn’t determine the outcome of your life” in this country.

“I don’t think,” Ryan added, “that statement reflects what is special about this country. I’d like to think––and I haven’t spoken to Steve about this––I’d like to think that he misspoke and it wasn’t really meant the way that that sounds, and hopefully he’s clarified that.”

On CNN this morning, King said, “I meant exactly what I said.”

Watch above, via Fox News.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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