Republican reactions to 2005 Trump tape
Last updated on October 27, 2016
On October 7, 2016, The Washington Post released a 2005 video of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump making comments about women. The comments were described as 'extremely lewd' in The Post's headline.[1] A day later, organizations such as Politico began describing the comments in terms of "sexual assault."[2] After the tape became public, several prominent Republicans denounced Trump's comments while others withdrew their endorsements of him or called on him to step down as the GOP nominee.
This page tracked nationally prominent Republicans who, after the time of the tape's release, called for Trump to step down as the party's nominee or said they would not vote for him. The table below shows the total number of Republicans who called on Trump to drop out or said they would not vote for him. It also breaks them down into members of the House, senators, and governors. Note: the total at the top includes non-elected officials and former lawmakers.
Seven Republicans—Deb Fischer, Scott Garrett, Bradley Byrne, Jason Chaffetz, Mike Crapo, Chris Stewart, and John Thune—who called for Trump to step down or said they would not vote for him later reversed their stances and voiced support for Trump or said they intended to vote for him.
For more information on different state laws for replacing a nominee, please see: State laws and party rules on replacing a presidential nominee
Trump should drop out or be replaced
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia)
GOP Sen Shelley Moore Capito of WVA on Trump: "The appropriate next step may be for him to reexamine his candidacy."
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) October 8, 2016
Rep. Mike Coffman (Colorado)
- "For the good of the country, and to give the Republicans a chance of defeating Hillary Clinton, Mr. Trump should step aside. 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."[3]
Rep. Barbara Comstock (Virginia)
Donald Trump should step aside and allow our party to replace him..I cannot in good conscience vote for Trump. https://t.co/ExrJgblx7e #VA10
— Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) October 8, 2016
Gov. Dennis Daugaard (South Dakota)
Enough is enough. Donald Trump should withdraw in favor of Governor Mike Pence. This election is too important.
— Gov. Dennis Daugaard (@SDGovDaugaard) October 8, 2016
Rep. Rodney Davis (Illinois)
- "The abhorrent comments made by Donald Trump are inexcusable and go directly against what I've been doing in Washington to combat assaults on college campuses. Because of this, I am rescinding my support for Donald Trump and asking to have my name removed from his agriculture advisory committee. With the terrible options America has right now, I cannot cast my vote for any of the candidates, so I hope Donald Trump withdraws from the race so the American people can elect Mike Pence as our next president."[4]
Rep. Charlie Dent (Pennsylvania)
- Said that RNC chair Reince Priebus should remove Trump from the ticket and "if he can't, then he should step down."[5]
Former GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina
My thoughts: pic.twitter.com/1ck3UddzdR
— Carly Fiorina (@CarlyFiorina) October 8, 2016
Sen. Jeff Flake (Arizona)
.@realDonaldTrump is wrong about his level of support. He needs to withdraw from the race. https://t.co/sv7K3qmF1w
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) October 8, 2016
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (Nebraska)
BREAKING: Another Nebraskan has abandoned Trump. U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry calls for Trump to step down. Will back Pence
— Robynn Tysver (@RobynnTysver) October 8, 2016
Sen. Cory Gardner (Colorado)
If Donald Trump wishes to defeat Hillary Clinton, he should do the only thing that will allow us to do so - step aside. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/hadKP4gIrr
— Cory Gardner (@CoryGardner) October 8, 2016
Rep. Kay Granger (Texas)
- “We have heard rumors about the insensitive and vulgar things Mr. Trump says about women. But watching that video is disgusting. Mr. Trump should remove himself from consideration as Commander in Chief."[6]
Gov. Bill Haslam (Tenneessee)
- "It is time for the good of the nation 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."[7]
Rep. Joe Heck (Nevada)
I cannot continue to support Donald Trump nor can I vote for Hillary Clinton. https://t.co/LckmywTfmq
— Dr. Joe Heck (@Heck4Nevada) October 8, 2016
Radio host Hugh Hewitt
For the benefit of the country, the party and his family, and for his own good, @realDonaldTrump should withdraw. More and worse oppo coming
— Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) October 8, 2016
Former Gov. Jon Huntsman (Utah)
- "In a campaign cycle that has been nothing but a race to the bottom — at such a critical moment for our nation — and with so many who have tried to be respectful of a record primary vote, the time has come for Governor Pence to lead the ticket."[8]
Rep. Will Hurd (Texas)
Just in: @WillHurd is calling on Trump to drop out of the race, Hurd's campaign confirms. #TX23
— Patrick Svitek (@PatrickSvitek) October 8, 2016
Rep. John Katko (New York)
- "I think Trump should think seriously about [dropping out]. In my mind, he should. His comments cannot be justified and crosses every line you can imagine. ... I am certainly not going to vote for him. ... I've talked repeatedly with my family and people I consider close to me. We are all roundly disgusted. We just all came to the same conclusion that he does not deserve support. You just can't explain this away. What he was talking about is tantamount to sexual assault."[9]
Sen. Mark Kirk (Illinois)
.@realDonaldTrump should drop out. @GOP should engage rules for emergency replacement.
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) October 8, 2016
Sen. Mike Lee (Utah)
Donald Trump is a distraction. Time for him to step aside so we can focus on winning ideas that will carry Republicans to a victory in Nov.
— Mike Lee (@MikeLeeforUtah) October 8, 2016
Rep. Mia Love (Utah)
- "For the good of the party, and the country, he should step aside."[10]
Former Gov. George Pataki (New York)
I'm horrified by #TrumpTape news. @realDonaldTrump campaign is a poisonous mix of bigotry & ignorance. Enough! He needs to step down.
— George E. Pataki (@GovernorPataki) October 8, 2016
Rep. Martha Roby (Alabama)
Donald Trump's behavior makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president, and I won't vote for him.
Full statement: pic.twitter.com/Ge7GU1TSvm— Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) October 8, 2016
Sen. Ben Sasse (Nebraska)
Character matters.@realDonaldTrump is obviously not going to win.
But he can still make an honorable move:
Step aside & let Mike Pence try.— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) October 8, 2016
Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska)
Im calling on Trump to step aside for Gov. Pence. Trump can’t lead on critical issue of ending dom violence & sexual assault. Full statement pic.twitter.com/e47h6MAdmH
— SenDanSullivan (@SenDanSullivan) October 8, 2016
CEO of The Family Leader Bob Vander Plaats (Iowa)
@realDonaldTrump should focus on saving family, beating Hillary, and preserving our country by resigning his candidacy.
— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) October 8, 2016
Rep. Fred Upton (Michigan)
"These degrading and dangerous comments are utterly indefensible." Read Fred's full statement below. pic.twitter.com/I4agFdqbJZ
— Fred Upton (@UptonForAllOfUs) October 8, 2016
Rep. Ann Wagner (Missouri)
- "I have committed my short time in Congress to fighting for the most vulnerable in our society. As a strong and vocal advocate for victims of sex trafficking and assault, I must be true to those survivors and myself and condemn the predatory and reprehensible comments of Donald Trump. I withdraw my endorsement and call for Governor Pence to take the lead so we can defeat Hillary Clinton."[4]
Will not vote for Trump
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire)
I will not vote for Donald Trump. Read my statement here: pic.twitter.com/F8zajgDZpg
— Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) October 8, 2016
Gov. Robert Bentley (Alabama)
Gov Robert Bentley (R-AL) withdraws his Trump endorsement, says he now is a #NeverTrumpOrHillary voter
— Politics1.com (@Politics1com) October 8, 2016
Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (Washington)
- "For months I’ve left the door open for Donald Trump to earn my vote. That door has now slammed shut."[11]
Sen. Susan Collins (Maine)
Sen. Collins’ statement on release of Donald Trump’s 2005 remarks: https://t.co/Fu0KADiSYL pic.twitter.com/SP83P92kaC
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) October 8, 2016
Gov. Gary Herbert (Utah)
Donald Trump's statements are beyond offensive & despicable. While I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton, I will not vote for Trump. #utpol
— Gary R. Herbert (@HerbertForUtah) October 8, 2016
Gov. John Kasich (Ohio)
I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country. FULL STATEMENT: https://t.co/7zUFPXvXPA
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) October 8, 2016
Rep. Steve Knight (California)
- "While I’ve never before endorsed a Presidential candidate, I’ve felt compelled to strongly condemn many of Mr. Trump’s previous outrageous remarks. And after serious consideration, I have decided that I cannot support either candidate for President."[12]
Rep. Frank LoBiondo (New Jersey)
- "I have repeatedly and strongly spoken out against Mr. Trump when he degrades and insults women, minority groups and Gold Star military families. I will not vote for a candidate who boasts of sexual assault. It is my conclusion that Mr. Trump is unfit to be President."[13]
Gov. Susana Martinez (New Mexico)
NM Gov SUSANA MARTINEZ gets her revenge:
"That's why I have withheld my support from the very beginning, and will not support him now."— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) October 8, 2016
Sen. John McCain (Arizona)
- "I have wanted to support the candidate our party nominated. He was not my choice, but as a past nominee, I thought it important I respect the fact that Donald Trump won a majority of the delegates by the rules our party set. I thought I owed his supporters that deference," McCain said. "But 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."[14]
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
I cannot and will not support Donald Trump for president. He has forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee.
— Lisa Murkowski (@LisaForSenate) October 8, 2016
Rep. Erik Paulsen (Minnesota)
- "For months I have said Donald Trump has not earned my vote. The disgusting statements revealed last night make it clear he cannot. I will not be voting for him."[15]
Rep. Tom Rooney (Florida)
- "My greatest responsibility in life is to try and be a good husband and father. If I support him for President, I will be telling my boys that I think it’s okay to treat women like objects — and I’ll have failed as a dad. Therefore, I can no longer support Donald Trump for President and will not be voting for him or Hillary Clinton."[16]
Gov. Brian Sandoval (Nevada)
.@GovSandoval weighs in on Trump pic.twitter.com/FwDTfzVnDc
— Michelle Rindels (@RindelsAP) October 8, 2016
Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (California)
As proud as I am to label myself a Republican, there is one label that I hold above all else - American. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/biRvY8S3aZ
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) October 8, 2016
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio)
- "As I said yesterday, Donald Trump's comments were offensive and wrong. I had hoped to support the candidate my party nominated in the primary process. I thought it was appropriate to respect the millions of voters across the country who chose Donald Trump as the Republican Party nominee. While I continue to respect those who still support Donald Trump, I can no longer support him. I continue to believe our country cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. I will be voting for Mike Pence for President."[17]
See also
- Presidential candidates, 2016
- 2016 presidential candidates on healthcare
- Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016
- Donald Trump presidential campaign, 2016
- Jill Stein presidential campaign, 2016
- Gary Johnson presidential campaign, 2016
Footnotes
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005," October 8, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "RNC halts Victory project work for Trump," October 8, 2016
- ↑ CBS Denver, "Coffman: ‘Trump Should Step Aside,'" October 7, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 St. Louis Dispatch, "Reps. Ann Wagner, Rodney Davis withdraw support, urge Trump to pull out of race," October 8, 2016
- ↑ The Hill, "Pennsylvania lawmaker says Priebus should step down if Trump not removed," October 8, 2016
- ↑ Where Texas Republicans Stand on Donald Trump," October 9, 2016
- ↑ WBIR, "Bill Haslam: Donald Trump needs to step aside for Mike Pence,'" October 9, 2016
- ↑ The Salt Lake Tribune, "Utah Gov. Herbert and Rep. Chaffetz pull Trump endorsements, Huntsman says Trump should drop out after explicit video leaks," October 10, 2016
- ↑ Syracuse, "Rep. John Katko: Donald Trump should drop out of presidential race," October 8, 2016
- ↑ Newser.com, "The Latest: Pence won't "condone" or "defend" Trump remarks," October 7, 2016
- ↑ KUTV, "Herrera Beutler rejects Trump for president; will write in Ryan," October 8, 2016
- ↑ The Signal, "Congressman Steve Knight releases statement on Saturday saying he ‘cannot support’ Donald Trump," October 8, 2016
- ↑ LoBiondo for Congress, "LoBiondo Statement on 2016 Presidential Election," October 8, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "McCain rescinds Trump support," October 8, 2016
- ↑ KARE, "Ex-Gov. Pawlenty calls Trump 'unhinged,' drops support," October 8, 2016
- ↑ PalmBeachPost, "Rep. Tom Rooney, early voice for GOP unity behind Donald Trump, withdraws support," October 8, 2016
- ↑ RobPortman.com, "Portman Statement on Presidential Race," accessed October 12, 2016
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