A List of the Republican Leaders Who Have Officially Withdrawn Support From Trump
Republican leaders are beginning to flee from the #TrumpTrain in droves.
On Friday, the Washington Post unearthed a video of a 2005 Access Hollywood appearance from Donald Trump, who joked that as "a star, you can do anything," including grabbing a woman "by the p****." The backlash for Trump's comments, which condone and normalize sexual assault, has been swift and decisive among Republican lawmakers; many have claimed the comment was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Saturday afternoon, Politico also reported that the GOP's "Victory" project--a program devoted to helping Trump clinch the election--appeared to halt activity on Saturday at the direct request of a top-level GOP staffer.
Below, a list of the Republican lawmakers who have formally withdrawn support for Trump in the hours since the report was published:
- Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona)
JOHN MCCAIN withdraws his support of Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/yQNJGtKLEQ
— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) October 8, 2016
- Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-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
- Sen. Cory Gardner (R-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. Rodney Davis (R-Illinois)
My statement on Donald Trump and the presidential election —> pic.twitter.com/VUiHAGgkLb
— Rodney Davis (@ElectRodney) October 8, 2016
- Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Alabama)
"Donald Trump’s comments regarding women were disgraceful and appalling,” Byrne said. “There are absolutely no circumstances under which it would ever be appropriate to speak of women in such a way. It is now clear Donald Trump is not fit to be President of the United States and cannot defeat Hillary Clinton. I believe he should step aside and allow Governor Pence to lead the Republican ticket." - Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/lfa9mYZbdC
— Senator Mike Crapo (@MikeCrapo) October 8, 2016
- Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah)
- Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota)
Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately.
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) October 8, 2016
- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-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. Martha Roby (R-Alabama)
Absolutely not. Under no circumstances would I vote for her. But Gov. Mike Pence can win this race. Conservatives would rally around him... https://t.co/wff4FPHHsY
— Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) October 8, 2016
- Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R-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. Barbara Comstock (R-Virginia)
- Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah)
UPDATE: @MiaBLove reacts to Trump comments, says "I cannot vote for him." Her statement... @fox13#utpolpic.twitter.com/QIOPmUDQD7
— Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) October 8, 2016
- Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois)
.@realDonaldTrump should drop out. @GOP should engage rules for emergency replacement.
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) October 8, 2016
- Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah)
Here's video of Chaffetz withdrawing his endorsement. "I'm out." pic.twitter.com/U6ernQfl9o
— Tim Hanrahan (@TimJHanrahan) October 8, 2016
- Gov. Gary Herbert (R-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
- Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colorado)
- Sen. Jeff Flake (R-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. Chris Stewart (R-Utah)
- Sen. Ben Sasse (R-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
- Fed Upton (R-Michigan)
.@RepFredUpton:
"I urge him to think about our country over his own candidacy and carefully consider stepping aside from the ticket.”
— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) October 8, 2016
- Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-New Hampshire)
- Rep. Scott Garrett (R-New Jersey)
NJ GOP Rep Scott Garrett denounces Trump, says" Pence would be the best nominee for the Republican Party to defeat Hillary Clinton."
— Deirdre Walsh (@deirdrewalshcnn) October 8, 2016
- Rep. Cresent Hardy (R-Nevada)
- Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nevada)
Per this CNN video, some applause yet loud boos when @RepJoeHeck announces he won't support Trump #nvsenhttps://t.co/pzwYdKeDoY
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) October 8, 2016
- Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Missouri)
My statement on the Presidential race: pic.twitter.com/mDAx5cCC59
— Ann Wagner (@AnnLWagner) October 8, 2016
Other notable figures that have withdrawn support for Trump:
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
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
- Carly Fiorina
- Pratik Chougule
Trump's ex-policy chief wrote Saturday that "under no circumstances" will he "support Donald Trump for president."
"I regret my decision last April to join the campaign as policy coordinator. Although I left the campaign in August for a variety of reasons, I wish that I had done so sooner and spoken out more forcefully against a candidate who embodies the worst excesses of our culture," he said.
We will continue to update this post.