It’s almost amusing how the mainstream media fawns over Mitt Romney these days.
Remember, this is a person that Biden told a largely black audience was going to “put them back in chains.”
Now that he’s seen as a Trump-opposer, Romney couldn’t be receiving higher praises from the media and Democrats. He was the only Republican to convict Trump of abuse of power based on the House impeachment charges.
It’s understandable, then, why Trump didn’t include Romney on his bipartisan task force to reopen the American economy. When asked, the President was honest and admitted that he still holds a grudge against Mitt Romney.
Even though the President was honest, many in the media were quick to slamming him for holding a grudge.
Check out the President’s response below:
Some, however, understand the position the President is coming from. Perhaps Romney hold a grudge himself because Trump was able to win the presidency and he wasn't?
In any event, many had positive reactions to the President's remarks.
Take a look:
CNN reports more details on the President's exchange:
President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he didn't pick Sen. Mitt Romney to join his new bipartisan task force focused on reopening the country amid the coronavirus pandemic because of lingering animosity against the Utah Republican who voted in favor of Trump's impeachment.
Asked at the White House if skipping over Romney shows he still has a grudge against him, Trump told reporters pointedly, "Yeah, it does."
"I'm not a fan of Mitt Romney," the President said at a White House briefing Sunday evening. "I don't really want his advice."
Trump's admitted grudge comes during a worldwide crisis when traditionally leaders would work to unite the country. The President's response to the pandemic to this point has included repeated attacks on US governors and local leaders, a series of false claims and a frequent deflection of blame.
Nearly 100 lawmakers from both parties -- including all of Romney's Senate Republican colleagues -- were tapped to join "the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group," according to a list released by the White House.
The President reviewed the list of which lawmakers would be on the task force before it was finalized, an official previously told CNN. Romney was not included and was not asked to be on the call with other senators, another official confirmed.
If the President doesn't value Romney's advice, why should he be included on the taskforce?
The Hill also contributed to reporting:
A spokeswoman for Romney and a source familiar confirmed that the GOP senator was not asked to take part in the task force. Romney is a former governor, private sector executive and presidential candidate.
Romney was the only GOP senator to vote for one of the articles during the Senate impeachment trial earlier this year. Trump has repeatedly referenced the vote in chiding Romney, at one point swiping at the Mormon senator's use of religion to explain his reasoning for the vote.
There has been animosity between the two dating back years. After courting his support in 2012, Romney was fiercely critical of Trump during the 2016 campaign.
The two appeared to reconcile, with Trump considering Romney for a Cabinet post and endorsing his Senate bid in 2018. But the relationship appears to have deteriorated beyond repair with the impeachment vote.
Also, recall that Mitt Romney gave an entire speech back in 2016 making the case why Trump shouldn't be President.
Watch the speech and maybe you'll understand why the President may harbor a grudge against the senator:
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