Republican Drumbeat: What GOP Lawmakers Are Saying About Trump
Many voice anger as they try to distance themselves after comments on video became public

Many Republican lawmakers and party officials responded quickly — and negatively — to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about women, unearthed in a 2005 video. Here’s what they’ve had to say:
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan
“I am sickened by what I heard today. Women are to be championed and revered, not objectified.”
— in a statement on Friday
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
“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.”
— in a statement on Friday
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn
I am disgusted by Mr Trump’s words about women: our daughters, sisters and mothers.
— JohnCornyn (@JohnCornyn) October 8, 2016
And I am profoundly disappointed by the race to the bottom this presidential campaign has become.
— JohnCornyn (@JohnCornyn) October 8, 2016
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington
“It is never appropriate to condone unwanted sexual advances or violence against women. Mr. Trump must realize that it has no place in public or in private conversations today or on the past.”
— in a statement on Friday
Sen. John McCain of Arizona
“There are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive and demeaning comments. No woman should ever be victimized by this kind of inappropriate behavior. He alone bears the burden of his conduct and alone should suffer the consequences.”
— in a statement on Friday
Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz
“I’m out. 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.”
— in an interview with Fox 13 News on Friday
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
I have never been comfortable with Donald Trump as our Republican nominee.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 8, 2016
Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire
I will not vote for Donald Trump. Read my statement here: pic.twitter.com/F8zajgDZpg
— Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) October 8, 2016
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia
“As a woman, a mother, and a grandmother to three young girls, I am deeply offended by Mr. Trump’s remarks, and there is no excuse for the disgusting and demeaning language. Women have worked hard to gain the dignity and respect we deserve. The appropriate next step may be for him to reexamine his candidacy.”
— in a statement on Saturday
Sen. Mark S. Kirk of Illinois
.@realDonaldTrump should drop out. @GOP should engage rules for emergency replacement.
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) October 8, 2016
Sen. Mike Lee of Utah
Rep. Joe Heck of 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
Sen. Jeff Flake of 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
America deserves far better than @realDonaldTrump
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) October 7, 2016
Sen. John Thune of South Dakota
Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately.
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) October 8, 2016
Sen. Michael D. Crapo of Idaho
I can no longer endorse Donald Trump. Read my full statement: pic.twitter.com/lfa9mYZbdC
— Senator Mike Crapo (@MikeCrapo) October 8, 2016
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine
“Donald Trump’s lewd comments are the latest in a series of remarks he has made ranging from inappropriate to reprehensible that demonstrate why he is unsuitable for the presidency. It was comments like these, including the statements he made about John McCain, a disabled reporter, the family of a fallen soldier and more, that caused me to decide this summer that I could not support his candidacy.”
— in a statement on Saturday
Sen. Dan Sullivan of 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. Deb Fischer of Nebraska
It would be wise for him to step aside and allow Mike Pence to serve as our party’s nominee. (2/2)
— Deb Fischer (@DebFischerNE) October 8, 2016
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of 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
Sen. Cory Gardner of 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. Mia Love of Utah
Rep. Martha Roby of 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
Rep. Bradley Byrne of Alabama
BREAKING: @RepByrne, R-Mobile, says Donald Trump “not fit” to be president; calls on him to step aside for Mike Pence. #alpolitics
— Brian Lyman (@lyman_brian) October 8, 2016
Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri
My statement on the Presidential race: pic.twitter.com/mDAx5cCC59
— Ann Wagner (@AnnLWagner) October 8, 2016
Rep. Barbara Comstock of 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
Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois
Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan
As I’ve said all along, I’m not voting for @realDonaldTrump (or @HillaryClinton). It’s time for self-reflection from Trump and @GOP leaders.
— Justin Amash (@justinamash) October 8, 2016
Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah
Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan
“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
Rep. Susan W. Brooks of Indiana
This is nowhere near the conduct Americans should expect from someone seeking the office of President.
— Susan W. Brooks (@SusanWBrooks) October 8, 2016
Rep. Luke Messer of Indiana
Donald Trump’s words were wrong. Period. He must know they were wrong, because he quickly apologized… a rare occurrence in Trump world.
— Rep. Luke Messer (@RepLukeMesser) October 8, 2016
Donald Trump’s words were wrong. Period. He must know they were wrong, because he quickly apologized… a rare occurrence in Trump world.
— Rep. Luke Messer (@RepLukeMesser) October 8, 2016
Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina
My statement on the released audio of Mr. Donald Trump’s conversation from 2005. pic.twitter.com/4W4BonXr8F
— Rep. Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) October 8, 2016
Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine
ATTENTION: Quote from Maine’s Second District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin: #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/I64I0XTRNX
— Bruce Poliquin (@BrucePoliquin) October 8, 2016
Rep. John Fleming of Louisiana
Donald Trump’s comments are reprehensible. No man should ever speak like that. They are unacceptable under all circumstances. #lasen
— Dr. John Fleming (@FlemingforLA) October 8, 2016
Rep. Martha McSally of Arizona
Trump’s comments are disgusting. Joking about sexual assault is unacceptable. I’m appalled.
— Martha McSally (@MarthaMcSally) October 8, 2016