Some Republicans have had enough and they aren’t afraid to say it. Lots of GOP leaders and allies are coming out to criticize Donald Trump following the release of the 2005 tape in which he can be heard boasting about sexual assault. Although it’s hardly the first time Trump has found himself embroiled in a scandal because of his own words, for many who have (often reluctantly) stood by the candidate this has proven to be the last stroke. “It’s over,” a Republican strategist told NBC News. “Never seen anything like it. Never will.”
Yet even as some say they are shocked and horrified by the contents of the audio that leaked Friday night, not everyone is outright withdrawing their support for the Republican presidential candidate. So, who are they?
Republicans Who Say They Will Not Vote for Trump
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire): “I’m a mom and an American first, and I cannot and will not support a candidate for president who brags about degrading and assaulting women. I will not be voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and instead will be writing in Governor Pence for president on Election Day.”
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (Utah): “I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president. It is some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine.”
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.”
Rep. Cresent Hardy (Nevada): “I will no longer support the guy at the head of the ticket.”
Gov. Brian Sandoval (Nevada): “This video exposed not just words, but now an established pattern which I find to be repulsive and unacceptable for a candidate for president of the United States. I cannot support him as my party’s nominee.”
Gov. Robert Bentley (Alabama): “I certainly won’t vote for Hillary Clinton, but I cannot and will not vote for Donald Trump.”
Rep. Tom Rooney (Florida): “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.”
Sen. John McCain (Arizona): “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.”
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 … I will write in Governor Mike Pence for President.”
Rep. Erik Paulsen (Minnesota): “For months I have said Donald Trump has not earned my vote. The disgusting statements reveled last night make it clear he cannot. I will not be voting for him.”
Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio): “While I continue to respect those who still support Donald Trump, I can no longer support him. I will continue to believe our country cannot afford a Hillary Clinton presidency. I will be voting for Mike Pence for President.”
Republicans Who Are Outright Calling on Trump to Drop Out
Sen. Mike Crapo (Idaho): “I have reached the decision that I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. This is not a decision that I have reached lightly, but his pattern of behavior has left me no choice. … Make no mistake—we need conservative leadership in the White House. I urge Donald Trump to step aside and allow the Republican party to put forward a conservative candidate like Mike Pence who can defeat Hillary Clinton.”
Rep. Martha Roby (Alabama): “Donald Trump’s behavior makes him unacceptable as a candidate for president, and I won’t vote for him. … Now, it is abundantly clear that the best thing for our country and our party is for Trump to step aside and allow a responsible, respectable Republican to lead the ticket.”
Rep. Chris Stewart (Utah): “I’m incredibly disappointed in our party’s candidate. And unlike the Democrats who have proven completely unwilling to hold secretary Clinton accountable for her illegal activities that endangered our national security, I am willing to hold Mr. Trump accountable. I am therefore calling for him to step aside and to allow Mike Pence to lead our party.”
Rep. Joe Heck (Nevada): “I can no longer look past this pattern of behavior and inappropriate comments from Donald Trump. Therefore, I cannot, in good conscience, continue to support him nor can I vote for Hillary Clinton. … I believe our only option is to formally ask Mr. Trump to step down and allow Republicans the opportunity to elect someone who will provide us with the strong leadership so desperately needed and one that Americans deserve.”
Gov. Dennis Daugaard (South Dakota): “Enough is enough. Donald Trump should withdraw in favor of Governor Mike Pence. This election is too important.”
Sen. John Thune (South Dakota): “Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (West Virginia): “I am deeply offended by Mr. Trump’s remarks … The appropriate next step may be for him to reexamine his candidacy.”
Rep. Rodney Davis (Illinois): “The abhorrent comments made by Donald Trump are inexcusable … 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.”
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.”
Rep. Bradley Byrne (Alabama): “Donald Trump’s comments regarding women were disgraceful and appalling … 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.”
Rep. Scott Garrett (New Jersey): “Donald Trump’s comments are inexcusable … I believe that MikePence would be the best nominee for the Republican Party to defeat Hillary Clinton.”
Rep. 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.”
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”
Sen. Dan Sullivan (Alaska): “I’m calling on Trump to step aside for Gov. Pence. Trump can’t lead on critical issue of ending dom violence & sexual assault.”
Sen. Deb Fischer (Nebraska): “The comments made by Mr. Trump were disgusting and totally unacceptable under any circumstance. It would be wise for him to step aside and allow Mike Pence to serve as our party’s nominee.”
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (Nebraska): “As Americans we are faced with two strikingly bad choices: Donald Trump, who has abused women, and Hillary Clinton who has enabled the abuse of women. It’s all wrong. For my part, I ask that Donald Trump step aside and allow Mike Pence to become the Republican nominee.”
Republicans Who Have Criticized Trump but Haven’t Withdrawn Support
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan (Wisconsin): “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.”
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: “These comments are repugnant, and unacceptable in any circumstance. As the father of three daughters, I strongly believe that Trump needs to apologize directly to women and girls everywhere, and take full responsibility for the utter lack of respect for women shown in his comments on that tape.”
Gov. Pat McCrory (North Carolina): “I condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by Donald Trump regarding women. I find them disgusting.”
Sen. Bob Corker (Tennessee): “These comments are obviously very inappropriate and offensive and his apology was absolutely necessary.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (Florida): “Donald’s comments were vulgar, egregious & impossible to justify. No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas): “These comments are disturbing and inappropriate, there is simply no excuse for them.”
Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa): “The comments DJT made are lewd & insulting. There is no excuse, and no room for such reprehensible and objectifying talk about anyone, ever.”
Sen. Roy Blunt (Missouri): “Donald Trump’s statements were disrespectful and inappropriate, and he was right to apologize.”
Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah): “Mr. Trump’s comments were offensive and disgusting. There is no excuse for such degrading behavior. All women deserve to be treated with respect.”
Gov. Mike Pence (Indiana): “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.”
This is an incomplete and running list that will be updated as new statements are released.
