Republican leaders began to abandon their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, after a video revealed him making predatory comments about women
Republican leaders began to abandon their presidential candidate, Donald Trump, after a video revealed him making predatory comments about women. By Saturday morning, CNN’s Erin Burnett and one of Trump’s former female business associates had related nearly identical stories of groping and attempts to solicit sex.
The dam seems to have broken. Many Republicans have finally expressed that Trump has gone too far in a campaign of unprecedented lows. More than 50 have now said they will not vote for Trump, or have explicitly called for him to step down. We’ve compiled a list of Republican officials who have said they will no longer support Trump as the party’s presidential nominee since his comments were made public.
Here are Republican statements on Trump’s presidential bid since the release of the videos Friday night.
McCain’s statement read in part:
Donald Trump’s behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy. Cindy, with her strong background in human rights and respect for women fully agrees with me in this.
“Cindy and I will not vote for Donald Trump. I have never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate and we will not vote for Hillary Clinton. We will write in the name of some good conservative Republican who is qualified to be President.
Thune is the third-ranking Senate Republican.
Chaffetz told CNN, “That was an apology for getting caught,” while also declaring, “I’m out! I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president”
Ayotte can no longer support a presidential candidate “who brags about degrading and assaulting women,” according to a statement. She plans to to write in vice presidential running mate Mike Pence’s name for president.
“I have reached the decision that I can no longer endorse Donald Trump,” said Crapo, reports CNN. “This is not a decision that I have reached lightly, but his pattern of behavior has left me no choice. His repeated actions and comments toward women have been disrespectful, profane and demeaning.”
“For the good of the country, and to give the Republicans a chance of defeating Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trump should step aside,” he said on Friday. “His defeat at this point seems almost certain. And four years of Hillary Clinton is not what is best for this country. Mr. Trump should put the country first and do the right thing.”
Heck was booed during a campaign stop after withdrawing support for Trump and calling for him to step down. “I can no longer in good conscience support Donald Trump, nor can I vote for Hillary Clinton,” he said.
State level politicians in places like Iowa and Ohio are also calling for their governors and other elected officials to denounce Trump as well.
“It is time for the good of the national and the Republican Party for Donald Trump to step aside and let Gov. Mike Pence assume the role as the party’s nominee. If he does not step aside, I will write in a Republican for the Office of President,” said Haslam on Sunday.
Guadagno’s disavowal of Trump is notable since she is now publicly splitting from her boss, NJ governor Christ Christie, who publicly supports the Republican nominee.
Plenty of others, humiliated by Trump in the past, stood by their endorsements while offering some harsh, couched criticism. House Speaker Paul Ryan cancelled a joint appearance with the candidate in Wisconsin this weekend saying he was “sickened by what I heard.” He did not withdraw his endorsement. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus offered similar words: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a campaigned partner with Trump this year, said in a statement on Friday night that he was “disgusted” but refrained from withdrawing support.
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