Paul Ryan reframes his ‘racist’ comment on Donald Trump in Fox News Radio interview

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan garnered global press coverage when he classified Donald Trump’s recent remarks about a Latino judge as a “textbook definition of a racist comment.”

Democratic strategists quickly played off the controversial moment, casting it as a symbol of disunity and strife in the Republican party — as did a Washington Post op-ed titled “Republicans finally discover Trump is an actual racist.”

Mr. Ryan clarified his comment during an interview with Fox News Radio’s “Kilmeade & Friends” late Tuesday morning. Host Brian Kilmeade wanted to know: Does he really think the presumptive GOP nominee is racist?

“I’m saying that the comment was. I don’t know what’s in his heart, I can’t speak to that whatsoever. What I’m saying is to suggest that a person’s race disqualifies them to do their job is textbook — that’s what I’m saying,” Mr. Ryan replied.

“I’m not saying what’s in his heart because I don’t know what is in his heart, and I don’t think he feels that in his heart. But I don’t think it is wise or justifiable to suggest that a person should be disqualified from their job because of their ethnicity.”

Mr. Ryan also stated that he had not “rethought” his endorsement of Mr. Trump — and offered some advice for the candidate.

“I would recommend that he disavow the kinds of comments that suggest that a person’s race or ethnicity disqualifies them for a job. That’s not the kind of comments that’s a unifier, that’s not the kind of comments that you want to see in someone seeking to become president,” Mr. Ryan said.

“And I would say, continue to support the kinds of reforms and policies that he’s been talking about that we’re laying out here in the next few weeks. And I would just say, have the kind of campaign with the kind of tone that unifies, that aspires, that inspires. That’s what we as conservatives believe in; that’s what Republicans want to see,” he continued. “And yes, I do support Donald Trump.”