Former President Donald Trump criticized Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) while endorsing a candidate to replace him in the Senate representing Utah. Trump’s comments came as Romney declined to run for a second term, in part citing his age.
The former president endorsed Riverton, Utah Mayor Trevor Staggs (R) for the Republican nomination for the Senate representing Utah. Romney has served one term in the Senate after one term as the governor of Massachusetts.
“Trent Staggs is 100% MAGA, and is running to fill The Mitt Romney, a Total Loser, Seat as the next Senator from the Great State of Utah! A Highly Successful Entrepreneur, who has served brilliantly as Mayor of Riverton for the past six years,” Trump wrote on social media.
“I’m honored to have the endorsement of Donald Trump!” replied Staggs, who later won the primary.
I'm honored to have the endorsement of Donald Trump! pic.twitter.com/Ry2n1mS9rE
— Mayor Trent Staggs (@MayorStaggs) April 27, 2024
The former president wrote that Staggs knew “how to Create Jobs, Stop Inflation, Grow the Economy and Secure the Border.” He also said that the mayor would “help us Unleash American Energy, Support our Military/Vets and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Trump said that Staggs had his “Complete and Total Endorsement” and that he would be a “GREAT Senator” who would “never let you down!”
Trump called the current senator a “total loser.”
Earlier this year Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee, said that if given the choice between President Joe Biden and Trump, he implied he may back Biden.
Romney did not endorse Trump in either the 2016 or 2020 campaign but interviewed with him to potentially become the Secretary of State. Trump instead chose Rex Tillerson as his first Secretary of State.
“Neither President Biden nor former President Trump are leading their party to confront them. On the deficits and debt, both men refuse to address entitlements even though they represent two thirds of federal spending. Donald Trump calls global warming a hoax and President Biden offers feel-good solutions that will make no difference to the global climate,” Romney said in announcing that he would not serve another term.
