'Politics, not child play': Internet mocks Mitt Romney for 'ruling out' only Trump but not Biden when asked who he'd vote for in 2024

WASHINGTON, DC: In a candid interview on NBC News' 'Meet the Press' on Sunday, December 10, Senator Mitt Romney of Utah made a resolute statement, announcing his decision not to support former President Donald Trump in the forthcoming 2024 presidential election.

Romney, a persistent critic of Trump, delivered a scathing rebuke, labeling the former president as "dangerous for the country" due to his perceived "authoritarian rulings and interests."

His critique didn't stop there; he went on to compare Trump to "a human gumball machine" that indiscriminately dispenses unfiltered thoughts to the public.

Ambiguity surrounding potential Biden vote

When pressed by host Kristen Welker about the possibility of him voting for President Joe Biden, given his strong stance against Trump, Romney opted for a cautious response, stating, "I'm not going to describe who I'll rule out other than President Trump."

Romney's reservations about Trump were further fueled by recent statements made by the former president. Trump, during a Fox News town hall on Tuesday, December 5, asserted that he would not act as a dictator if re-elected in 2024, except for the first day.

Romney seized upon this, asserting, "I think we agree that we have looked at his behavior, and his behavior suggests that this is a person who will impose his will if he can, on the judicial system, on the legislative branch, and on the entire nation."

The senator specifically highlighted Trump's role in the events leading up to the Capitol attack on January 6, 2021, stating, "When he called people to come to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, that was not a random date. That was the date when peaceful transfer of power was to occur — he called that on purpose."

Romney left no room for doubt, insisting that Trump's "authoritarian rulings interests and notions" posed a significant threat to the country. His disapproval extended to his Republican colleagues in the House who are leading an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

When asked by Welker about evidence supporting the inquiry, Romney unequivocally stated, “No, I don’t see any evidence of that at all. I think before you begin an impeachment inquiry, you ought to have some evidence, some inclination that there’s been wrongdoing, and so far there’s nothing of that nature that’s been provided.”

As the House gears up for a vote on a resolution authorizing the impeachment inquiry into Biden, Romney emphasized the importance of evidence and due process. "If I were in the House, I’d vote against it unless they were able to bring forward evidence that suggested there were a high crime or misdemeanor that had been committed," he stated.

Social media reactions

Social media erupted with criticism directed at Romney for indicating a willingness to consider voting for Biden while ruling out support for Trump. Users labeled him a "RINO," a term implying a deviation from traditional Republican values, and accused him of playing into party politics.

"Politics not child play [sic]," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"It isn't news that he's a RINO," another wrote.

"That's not surprising, Mittens has always been a uniparty Rinocrat," someone else added.

"Being a Republican and against Trump is the only way Mitt gets any airtime," yet another offered.

Endorsement dilemma and history of criticism

Despite his reservations about both Biden and Trump, Romney refrained from endorsing any candidate for the 2024 election.

He expressed a preference for moderate Senate Democrat Joe Manchin, who has floated the idea of a presidential run. However, he identified former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley as the only viable GOP candidate, stating that endorsing any candidate at this stage "would be the kiss of death."

Romney's history of criticism against Trump dates back to the 2016 presidential campaign, where he denounced Trump as a fraud, misogynist, and bully. Even during his 2018 Senate campaign, Romney distanced himself from Trump, emphasizing independence.

The senator later became the sole GOP senator to vote twice to convict Trump during his impeachment trials, a move that further solidified his stance against the former president's actions.

Romney commented on the challenges of navigating the political landscape. "Maybe I should — should I endorse the person I like least right now?” he quipped, as quoted by NBC News. “I’m not going to be endorsing President Trump, obviously. I’ve made that very clear.”