Mitt Romney, the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nominee, has finally given Donald Trump credit for reshaping the Republican Party.
The Utah senator recently shared his thoughts on the future of GOP leadership during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union. Speaking with Jake Tapper, Romney predicted that JD Vance, the Vice President-elect, will likely to be the party’s nominee in the 2028 presidential race.
“If you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028 — I think it will be JD Vance, alright?” Romney said to host Jake Tapper. He highlighted Vance’s intelligence, strong communication skills, and alignment with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement as the primary reasons for his prediction.
MITT ROMNEY SHOWS SOME ACTUAL GRACE TODAY ON CNN.
‘JD Vance will be the 2028 nominee.’
‘Trump deserves legitimate credit for expanding the party.’
‘Republican party is now MAGA, no question.’pic.twitter.com/gcYsDkI9HN
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 16, 2024
Romney’s remarks reflect a shift in his stance toward Vance, whom he criticized sharply in the past. In 2021, Romney expressed strong disapproval of Vance, stating, “I don’t know that I can disrespect someone more than JD Vance,” referring to Vance’s transformation from a Trump critic to a vocal supporter. However, Romney downplayed those earlier remarks during the interview, emphasizing their effective collaboration in the Senate since Vance’s election in 2022.
While acknowledging Trump’s lasting influence on the Republican Party, Romney reiterated his own opposition to the former president, noted USA Today. Romney abstained from voting for Trump in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections and voted to impeach him twice while serving in the Senate. Nevertheless, he acknowledged Trump’s ability to connect with working-class voters and deliver on key campaign promises. “Donald Trump won overwhelmingly. He said what he was going to do, and that’s what he’s doing,” Romney remarked.
In his farewell speech to the Senate earlier this month, Mitt Romney expressed less optimism about the tone of Trump’s America while addressing his colleagues.
Cautioning against the dangers of political division, he remarked, “There are some today who would tear at our unity, who would replace love with hate, who deride our foundation of virtue, or who debase the values upon which the blessings of heaven depend.”
Romney added, “A country’s character is a reflection not just of its elected officials, but also of its people. I leave Washington to return to be one among them and hope to be a voice of unity and virtue.”
