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Republican Drumbeat: What GOP Lawmakers Are Saying About Trump

Many voice anger as they try to distance themselves after comments on video became public

The presidential campaign has turned into a harrowing political bender for Donald Trump, Walter Shapiro writes. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
The presidential campaign has turned into a harrowing political bender for Donald Trump, Walter Shapiro writes. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Roll Call Staff
Posted October 8, 2016 at 11:28am

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

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

Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire

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

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah

Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada

Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona

Sen. John Thune of South Dakota

Sen. Michael D. Crapo of Idaho

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

Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado

Rep. Mia Love of Utah

 Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama

Rep. Bradley Byrne of Alabama

Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri

Rep. Barbara Comstock of Virginia

Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois

Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan

Rep. Chris Stewart of Utah

Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan

Rep. Susan W. Brooks of Indiana

Rep. Luke Messer of Indiana

Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina

Rep. Bruce Poliquin of Maine

Rep. John Fleming of Louisiana

Rep. Martha McSally of Arizona

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