Unsurprisingly, more Republicans are turning on Donald Trump
President Donald Trump’s tariffs are taking heat from trade partners, but also from former Republicans. An old video of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney predicted the dangers of another Trump presidency.
“Even though Donald Trump offered very few specific economic plans, what little he has said is enough to know that he would be very bad for American workers and American families,” said Romney at a conference at the Hinckley Institute. The event occurred in 2016.
Romney denied Trump’s business acumen by citing his many failed business ventures. “Look, his bankruptcies crushed small businesses—and the men and women that worked for them. He inherited his business,” the then Massachusetts governor disputed. “Whatever happened to Trump Airlines? How about Trump University? And then there’s Trump Magazine,” Romney listed down other mismanaged businesses to prove that Trump is not a business genius.
If said today, these words would still be valid criticisms against the president’s business practices. But the warnings didn’t end there, as Romney also thought that Trump was “very, very not smart” when it came to foreign policy. This included Trump’s supposed decorum when it came to diplomacy, as the president is known for frequently using foul language against friends and foes. Romney also made note of Trump’s admiration for President Vladimir Putin of Russia—which is a concerning sentiment for an American president.
“Dishonesty is Donald Trump’s hallmark,” Romney said in condemnation of Trump’s tendency to lie. While common today, Trump also used to exaggerate stories from his first presidential run. He told unfounded stories of Muslims “celebrating 9/11” and claiming to invade Iraq, despite voting against it.
A warning wrongfully ignored
“His imagination must not be married to real power,” Romney concluded. Nine years later, in 2025, Romney’s words ominously aged like wine. During his recent stint, Trump has been opening himself to Russia. His temperament gave way to thinking that tariffs could pressure United States trading partners into dependence. And just as Romney warned, President Trump frequently spouts falsehoods in favor of his administration’s agenda.
Romney’s tirade against Trump isn’t necessarily an insult to his character but a levelheaded and respectful analysis of it. It’s, simply put, decent—a trait sorely missed after Trump came to power. Despite Romney’s eloquent warning, many Trump voters chose Trump not once—but twice.
(featured image: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
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