Donald Trump was secretly recorded saying he was drawn like a magnet to beautiful women back in 2005. “I just start kissing them,” the GOP presidential nominee boasted. “I don’t even wait.”
The Washington Post published a tape Friday in which Trump mentioned groping and having sex with women, saying that “when you’re a star, they let you do anything … And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything…“Grab ‘em by the p—y.”
Sen. John McCain tweeted, “There are no excuses for Donald Trump’s offensive behavior. Cindy & I will not vote for him.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger will not vote for Trump, he said in written statement released on Twitter.
“For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for President,” Schwarzenegger said.
Condoleezza Rice posted on her Facebook page, “Enough! Donald Trump should not be President. He should withdraw.”
She continued: As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth.”
John Kasich said, “Nothing that has happened in the last 48 hours is surprising to me or many others. Many people were angry and questioned why I would not endorse Donald Trump or attend the Republican Convention.”
He went on to say: ” I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country.”
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said, “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.”
Mitch McConnell stood firm against his party’s nominee, saying in a statement: “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.”
Jeb Bush tweeted, “As the grandfather of two precious girls, I find that no apology can excuse away Donald Trump’s reprehensible comments degrading women.”
Mitt Romney probably wasn’t voting for Trump anyway, but tweeted, “Hitting on married women? Condoning assault? Such vile degradations demean our wives and daughters and corrupt America’s face to the world.”
Carly Fiorina called for Trump to “step aside” for the good of the Republican Party.
Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Republican National Committee issued a statement: “No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever.”
“I will not be voting for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton and instead will be writing in Governor Pence for President on Election Day,” Sen. Kelly Ayotte said.
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo officially withdrew his endorsement of Trump, saying, “This is not a decision that I have reached lightly, but his pattern of behavior has left me no choice. His repeated actions and comments toward women have been disrespectful, profane and demeaning.”
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski was clear about her withdrawal of support from the Republican presidential candidate, saying Trump has “forfeited the right to be our party’s nominee.”
Maine Sen. Susan Collins, seen here with former first lady Barbara Bush, issued a statement reiterating her reasons for not supporting Trump in light of his “inappropriate” and “reprehensible” comments. She also said she is “still not voting for Hillary, and still plans to write in someone,” according to CNN.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement, “I certainly won’t vote for Hillary Clinton, but I cannot and will not vote for Donald Trump.”
Alabama House Rep. Martha Roby has called for Trump to “step aside.”
Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer also called for Trump to step aside to make room for Mike Pence to take over the Republican presidential ticket.
Powerful Republican senator John Thune of South Dakota, part of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s inner circle, is urging that Trump withdraw. “Mike Pence should be our nominee effective immediately,” CNN quotes him as saying.
