Story highlights Ryan campaign spokesman Zack Roday says their campaign will not "engage in a back-and-forth"

(CNN) Donald Trump on Monday offered very public praise for a political candidate vying to unseat one of the top Republicans in Washington -- House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Trump, who is facing an onslaught of criticism from Ryan and other top Republicans for his comments about the Muslim family of a deceased US soldier, thanked Ryan's Republican primary challenger, Paul Nehlen, on Twitter Monday for his "kind words."

"Thanks to @pnehlen for your kinds words, very much appreciated," the Republican presidential nominee tweeted, in what amounts to an extraordinary show of discord between two of the most prominent faces of the Republican Party.

Thanks to @pnehlen for your kind words, very much appreciated. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2016

Nehlen, a businessman who like Trump has never held public office, has praised Trump and had recently tweeted articles and comments supporting the GOP nominee.

"My pleasure, Sir. Just want to Make America Great Again," Nehlen responded from his account 10 minutes after Trump's tweet.

@realDonaldTrump my pleasure, Sir. Just want to Make America Great Again. — Paul Nehlen (@pnehlen) August 1, 2016

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