Sarah Palin said in a television interview broadcast Sunday that she will support Speaker Paul Ryan's primary challenger, comparing Ryan to former House majority leader Eric Cantor, R-Virginia, who was stunningly defeated in a 2014 primary.
"I think Paul Ryan is soon to be 'Cantored,'" Palin said on CNN's "State of the Union." Cantor lost his primary to now-Rep. Dave Brat.
Palin, a former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, backs Donald Trump for president. Ryan, R-Wisconsin, said this week that he is not ready to support Trump even though the billionaire is the presumptive GOP nominee. Trump and Ryan are to meet this week.
"His political career is over but for a miracle, because he has so disrespected the will of the people," Palin said of Ryan, "and for him to already come out and say who he will not support was not a wise decision."
Businessman Paul Nehlen is challenging Ryan in the Aug. 9 Republican primary. Nehlen has criticized Ryan's refusal to back Trump and has issued a statement saying, "If Mr. Trump is the nominee, I will support that decision."
In her interview, Palin said, "I will do whatever I can for Paul Nehlen."