Donald Trump may want to start thinking about a plan B.
The Washington Post on Friday published leaked audio recorded in a bus outside the set of Access Hollywood in 2005 in which Trump described his pursuit of a married woman and boasted his ability to do “anything” he wants with women because he’s “a star.”
“You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful—I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait,” Trump said to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush. “And when you’re a start they let you do it. You can do anything.”
“Grab them by the pussy,” Trump continued. “You can do anything.”
Condemnation of Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, came swift and strong. First from Democrats, including his opponent Hillary Clinton, then from members of his own party. Here is a running list of the Republican lawmakers and other leaders who have distanced themselves from Trump.
Reince Priebus, RNC Chair
“No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.” (via Politico)
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.)
“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. In the meantime, he is no longer attending tomorrow’s event in Wisconsin.” (via Paul Ryan)
Sen. Ted Crus (R-Texas), 2016 GOP presidential candidate
These comments are disturbing and inappropriate, there is simply no excuse for them.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) October 8, 2016
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), 2016 GOP presidential candidate
Donald’s comments were vulgar, egregious & impossible to justify.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) October 8, 2016
No one should ever talk about any woman in those terms, even in private.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), 2016 GOP presidential candidate
Make no mistake the comments were wrong and offensive. They are indefensible.
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) October 7, 2016
.@JohnKasich statement on Donald Trump: “I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country.” pic.twitter.com/heXuyVSWp1
— Erica R. Brown (@EricaRBrown) October 8, 2016
Fmr. Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), 2016 GOP presidential candidate
As the grandfather of two precious girls, I find that no apology can excuse away Donald Trump’s reprehensible comments degrading women.
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) October 7, 2016
Fmr. New York Gov George Pataki (R), 2016 GOP presidential candidate
https://twitter.com/GovernorPataki/status/784567126984126464
Fmr. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), 2012 GOP presidential nominee
Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America’s face to the world.
— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) October 8, 2016
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), 2008 GOP presidential nominee
“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.” (via John McCain)
John McCain withdraws support for Trump pic.twitter.com/G1Rvj1W1sp
— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) October 8, 2016
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R)
Statement regarding @realDonaldTrump and @HillaryClinton. pic.twitter.com/4KEXpw64ek
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) October 8, 2016
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)
America deserves far better than @realDonaldTrump
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) October 7, 2016
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)
.@realDonaldTrump should drop out. @GOP should engage rules for emergency replacement.
— Mark Kirk (@SenatorKirk) October 8, 2016
Fmr. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R)
“In a campaign cycle that has been nothing but a race to the bottom—at such a critical moment for our nation—and with so many who have tried to be respectful of a record primary vote, the time has come for [Trump running mate] Governor Pence to lead the ticket.” (via Salt Lake Tribune)
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R)
Inexcusable. Trump’s comments are inexcusable.
— Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) October 8, 2016
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R)
NEW Stmt from @SenateMajLdr McConnell calls Trump comments “repugnant, and unacceptable in any circumstance.” pic.twitter.com/bQnhrEePjg
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) October 8, 2016
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory (R)
I condemn in the strongest possible terms the comments made by Donald Trump regarding women. I find them disgusting.
— Pat McCrory (@PatMcCroryNC) October 8, 2016
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah)
BREAKING NEWS: In live interview on @fox13, @jasoninthehouse RETRACTS endorsement for Donald Trump. #utpol pic.twitter.com/zrEJdE78D3
— Ben Winslow (@BenWinslow) October 8, 2016
Rep. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.)
BREAKING: @RepMikeCoffman now calls for @realDonaldTrump to step aside. DEVELOPING. #copolitics #TrumpTapes #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/xArJfQEBt8
— Marshall Zelinger (@Marshall9News) October 8, 2016
Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.)
“This is disgusting, vile, and disqualifying. No woman should ever be subjected to this type of obscene behavior, and it is unbecoming of anybody seeking high office. In light of these comments, Donald Trump should step aside and allow our party to replace him with Mike Pence or another appropriate nominee from the Republican Party. I cannot in good conscience vote for Donald Trump and I would never vote for Hillary Clinton.” (via Washington Post)
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)
The comments DJT made are lewd & insulting. There is no excuse, and no room for such reprehensible and objectifying talk about anyone, ever.
— Joni Ernst (@joniernst) October 8, 2016
Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.)
Donald Trump’s vulgar comments are totally inappropriate and disgusting, and these words have no place in our society.
— Senator Dan Coats (@SenDanCoats) October 8, 2016
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
I have never been comfortable with Donald Trump as our Republican nominee.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 8, 2016
I don’t believe the Bill Clinton defense will work as we impeached Bill Clinton.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 8, 2016
I was there.https://t.co/Z9G8YOLQwZ
Name one sports team, university, publicly-held company, etc. that would accept a person like this as their standard bearer?
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 8, 2016
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. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H)
I will not vote for Donald Trump. Read my statement here: pic.twitter.com/F8zajgDZpg
— Kelly Ayotte (@KellyAyotte) October 8, 2016
Rep. Joe Heck (R-Nev.)
And now: Joe Heck, in NV Senate race, becomes latest R to withdraw his support of @realDonaldTrump – does so at event in Vegas.
— Hallie Jackson (@HallieJackson) October 8, 2016
Heck says only option for Trump is to ask Trump to step down. (Remember: Trump called print journos today to insist he won’t.)
— Hallie Jackson (@HallieJackson) October 8, 2016
Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.)
South Dakota Gov. Dan Daugaard (R)
Enough is enough. Donald Trump should withdraw in favor of Governor Mike Pence. This election is too important.
— Dennis Daugaard (@SDGovDaugaard) October 8, 2016
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)
Donald Trump should withdraw and Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately.
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) October 8, 2016
Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Penn.)
NEWS: @RepCharlieDent demands @Reince get Trump off the ticket – or else.
— Jonathan Martin (@jmart) October 8, 2016
“If he can’t, then he should step down,” says DENT
Rep. Lisa Murkowski (R-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. 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
— Sen. Dan Sullivan (@SenDanSullivan) October 8, 2016
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)
The comments made by Mr. Trump were disgusting and totally unacceptable under any circumstance. (1/2)
— Deb Fischer (@DebforNebraska) October 8, 2016
It would be wise for him to step aside and allow Mike Pence to serve as our party’s nominee. (2/2)
— Deb Fischer (@DebforNebraska) October 8, 2016
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R)
“I cannot support him as my party’s nominee.” — @GovSandoval pic.twitter.com/MMR1yvuxgE
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) October 8, 2016
Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.)
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
Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
PORTMAN on Trump: “I can no longer support him.” pic.twitter.com/sHg9MKYHsT
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) October 9, 2016
Fmr. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R)
Tim Pawlenty on Trump: “unwilling/unable to demonstrate discipline/character/judgment. unsound/uninformed/unhinged/unfit. withdraw support”
— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) October 9, 2016
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam (R)
Breaking: Tenn. Republican Gov. @BillHaslam calls on @realDonaldTrump to step aside for Mike Pence https://t.co/qtfGuv7dTa pic.twitter.com/5pZMG6rLn5
— Dave Boucher (@Dave_Boucher1) October 9, 2016
“It is time for the good of the nation and the Republican Party for Donald Trump to step aside and let Gov. Mike Pence assume the role as the party’s nominee. If he does not step aside, I will write in a Republican for the office of President.” (via the Tennessean)
We will continue to update this list as new denouncements arrive.
