Did The Republican Party Just Disavow Donald Trump? Conservatives Drop Support After Release Of Audio Recording
A leaked audio file from 2005 showing Donald Trump making disparaging comments about groping women surfaced Friday and now the Republican Party is deserting their nominee in mass numbers.
Republican leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, his running mate Mike Pence, and a significant number of other conservatives have taken steps to distance themselves from Donald Trump.
Shortly after news of the video broke, Ryan uninvited Trump to a Wisconsin political rally where the two were scheduled to appear together in a show of party unity, reports the L.A. Times.
“I am sickened by what I heard today. Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified. I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests. In the meantime, he is no longer attending tomorrow’s event in Wisconsin.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7PM9kwFwnc
Donald’s running mate, Mike Pence, also refused to endorse Trump’s statements made during the video, according to statements the GOP vice-presidential candidate released to USA Today.
“As a husband and father, I was offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump in the eleven-year-old video released yesterday. I do not condone his remarks and cannot defend them.”
A number of Republicans leaders are now withdrawing their support for Trump, calling on him to drop out as the party nominee, have declared they won’t be voting for him, or suggested Pence replace him.
In response to their calls to drop out, Trump defiantly pledged to finish the race Saturday, during an interview with the Washington Post.
“I’d never withdraw. I’ve never withdrawn in my life. No, I’m not quitting this race. I have tremendous support.”
Republican leadership doesn’t appear to appreciate that statement, however. Reps. Jason Chaffetz from Utah and Barbara Comstock from Virginia abandoned Trump as the Republican nominee as did a significant number of other conservative leaders, reports Yahoo.
“I’m out. I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president.”
A number of political thinkers are now saying Trump is doing irreversible harm to the Republican Party that won’t be undone for years to come.
Donald’s wife, Melania Trump, broke her silence Saturday almost 24 hours after the release of the audio conversation of the lewd conversation about groping women, according to a statement posted on E! Online.
“The words my husband used are unacceptable and offensive to me. This does not represent the man that I know.”
USA Today published a list of 27 Republican leaders who have publicly called for Trump to step down as the nominee, declared they aren’t voting for him, or suggested Pence replace him.
The list includes former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, former secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Arizona Sen. John McCain, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner.
Continuing the list of Trump detractors: South Dakota Sen. John Thune, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, Nevada Rep. Joe Heck, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, former Republican candidate Carly Fiorina, and New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte.
The media and establishment want me out of the race so badly – I WILL NEVER DROP OUT OF THE RACE, WILL NEVER LET MY SUPPORTERS DOWN! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2016
Also refusing to endorse Donald are Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, former New York Gov. George Pataki, and Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse.
Rounding out the list is West Virginia Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, Alabama Rep. Martha Roby, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt, and Utah Rep. Mia Love.
What do you think about Donald Trump’s statements toward women as shown in the recent audio release?
[Featured Image by Tom Pennington/Getty Images]
