Trump taunts GOP, refusing to back Ryan, McCain

Trump's stunning slap at two of the nation's most prominent Republicans dramatically escalated GOP turmoil barely a week after a convention intended to promote party unity.

With the general election campaign now squarely underway, Republicans found themselves once again forced to answer questions about the latest boundary-defying pronouncement from Trump at a moment when most would rather be talking about Hillary Clinton's record.

All three lawmakers are facing primary challenges from the right in coming weeks, though all are expected to prevail, and each had criticized Trump's attacks on the Muslim American parents of an Army captain killed in Iraq.

Trump's comments appeared to represent the most dramatic break yet with a Republican establishment whose support for their presidential nominee has been reluctant at best.

McCain met privately Tuesday night with Trump's vice presidential running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

[...] vulnerable Senate Republicans like Ayotte and McCain are trying to focus on running their own races and hoping voters will make a distinction between them and Trump, something some polls suggest may be happening.