Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) has clarified that he did not attend a meeting with former President Donald Trump last week in order to support him but rather to listen to his plans if he were to become president again. Romney explained to CNN chief congressional correspondent Manu Raju that the meeting held at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) headquarters between Republican senators and Trump did not change his opinion on supporting the former president.
Romney, along with Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-A), had originally stated they would not be in attendance at the meeting with Trump due to scheduling conflicts. However, Romney ended up attending the meeting after his flight was reportedly canceled.
Romney on Trump: “I draw a line and say when someone has been actually found to have been sexually assaulting, that’s something I just won’t cross over in the person I would want to have as president of the United States.” Said he attended Trump meeting to listen, not to support.
This is not the first time Romney has spoken out against Trump. During an interview on CNN’s The Source in February, Romney said he would not vote for Trump over corrupt President Joe Biden. Romney has been a staunch opponent of Trump’s and even rendered him a guilty verdict during his business records trial.
In September 2023, Romney announced that he would not be seeking reelection and criticized Trump for having a lack of “leadership.” Trump has since endorsed Riverton, Utah, Mayor Trent Staggs, who is running to replace Romney, calling him a “total loser.