

House Speaker Paul Ryan never mentioned Donald Trump by name in a veiled rebuke Sunday lauding the Muslim family of a fallen Army hero, but the GOP nominee Monday night offered very public praise for Ryan's GOP primary opponent.

Trump, amid a fierce backlash from Republicans for his comments about Khizr and Ghazala Khan, tweeted thanks to businessman Paul Nehlen for his "kind words."

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

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

"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

The Trump praise "amounts to an extraordinary show of discord between two of the most prominent faces of the Republican Party," CNN reports — but Ryan campaign spokesman Zack Roday tells the network their campaign won't "engage in a back-and-forth."

Trump plans to visit Green Bay, Wis., Friday, his first trip to the state since his double-digit defeat in the April primary, the Journal Sentinel reports.