Trump calls Priebus ‘a very good man’

Donald Trump called Reince Priebus, the head of the Republican National Committee (RNC), “a very good man” on Tuesday, lauding someone he has previously criticized for his handling of the GOP primary process.

In a speech to supporters after sweeping all five of the day’s primary elections, Trump argued he deserves the nomination even if he doesn’t win a majority of delegates before the Republican National Convention in July. And he offered kind words for Priebus.

{mosads}”Let’s assume you are Reince, a very good man, head of RNC, Reince Priebus. Let’s say, oh well, Trump was 12 short, or 15 delegates short, or 25 short, but 500 more than [Ted] Cruz and far more than that ahead of [John] Kasich,” Trump said.

“How do you pick a man on the second, third or fourth ballot, who has millions of votes, 5 or 6 million, less than Trump?”

His comments are a reversal from earlier this month, when he bashed Priebus and the nominating contest in an interview with The Hill.

“It’s a disgrace for the party. And Reince Priebus should be ashamed of himself. He should be ashamed of himself because he knows what’s going on,” he said at the time.

Trump at the time was angered that some delegates from states he won would not be bound to vote for him at the convention.

The comments also sparked speculation that Trump could move to replace Priebus as RNC chief if he won the party’s nomination. 

Priebus and Trump have sparred over the nominating process rules, with the RNC repeatedly pushing back at Trump criticisms. RNC officials say the rules have been set for months and that Trump had ample time to formulate a strategy. 

During last week’s meeting of the RNC, though, Priebus called for unity around the presumptive nominee in a call that many interpreted as pushing back against the Never Trump movement.