The Republican Party leadership in the House of Representatives held a conference call with 246 Republican colleagues to discuss Donald Trump's candidacy in October 2016.
Posted by Bannon`s War Room, Checked
- Sources
- 6 support2 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 92%
Bannon`s War RoomOct 7, 2026
Multiple tier-1 and tier-2 sources confirm that Speaker Paul Ryan held a conference call with House Republicans on October 10, 2016, to discuss Trump's candidacy, and The Hill explicitly describes it as a call with his 246 rank-and-file members. The claim matches the passage's referents and is not an extraction addition.
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What was said
… For more on this, I'm now joined by phone by CBS News Radio correspondent Stephen Portnoy. And, Steve, again, just what was discussed today, with whom, for how long, and what was said? This was a conference call that was set up by Speaker Ryan so that he might talk with the 246 Republican colleagues he has in the House of Representatives, clearly orchestrated by the leadership to address the members' concerns. At least a dozen House Republicans over the weekend had publicly said that they did not want Donald Trump to be their party's nominee. …
Bannon`s War Room · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. PolitiFact reports that Ryan held a private conference call with House Republicans on Oct. 10, 2016, in which he declared he would not defend Trump.[1]
Supports. The Hill states that after the Access Hollywood tape, Ryan hosted a conference call with his 246 rank-and-file members and said he could no longer defend or campaign with Trump.[2]
Supports. The Associated Press and NPR both report that Ryan told House Republicans on a conference call on Monday, October 10, 2016, that he would no longer defend Trump.[3][4]
Supports. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and ABC News describe the same conference call with GOP House colleagues about Trump, and note that about a dozen members spoke.[5][6]
Context. Some sources describe the House GOP conference as 'almost 250' members (Reuters), and WGBH cites 246 seats, which is consistent with the claim's figure.[7][8]
Sources
8 sources: 1 fact-checker, 1 tier 1, 2 tier 2, 4 not rated
- 1Does Paul Ryan still endorse Donald Trump? - PolitiFactpolitifact.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2Trump faces decision on Ryan - The Hillthehill.com · tier 1 · cited for: supports
- 3RNC Chair Affirms Support For Trump While House Speaker Won't Defend Himnpr.org · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 4Ryan all but concedes Clinton will be presidentpbs.org · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 5Speaker Ryan tells GOP he won't defend Trumpcjonline.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6Paul Ryan Maintains Endorsement of Trump but Tells House GOP 'Do What's Best for You'abcnews.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 7Trump May Have Stopped The Bleeding, But Not The Worryingmadison365.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 8GOP Officials Focus on Down Ballot Races | GBH - WGBHwgbh.org · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- At least a dozen House Republicans publicly stated over the weekend in October 2016 that they did not want Donald Trump to be the party's nominee.True
- Barbara Comstock, a first-term incumbent in a moderate district in Northern Virginia, called for Donald Trump to drop out of the race in October 2016.True
- Barbara Comstock called for Donald Trump to drop out of the presidential race.True