Over the past 24 hours, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump has come under fire for the unveiling of a 2005 video where he made lewd comments about groping women, followed by a series of Howard Stern radio show interview clips from 1993 to 2010 where Trump made a wide variety of additional lewd comments.
Trump issued an apology video this morning, but many prominent Republicans say that it’s not enough.
“Nothing that has happened in the last 48 hours is surprising to me or many others,” stated Ohio Governor John Kasich on Facebook today. “As a result, Donald Trump is a man I cannot and should not support. I will not vote for a nominee who has behaved in a manner that reflects so poorly on our country. Our country deserves better.”
U.S. Senator John McCain released a similar statement today, who is also withdrawing his support of Trump.
“Donald Trump’s behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy,” stated McCain. “Cindy and I will not vote for Donald Trump.”
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice posted a shorter condemning message on Facebook today, but took things a step further stating that Trump should withdraw from the presidential race entirely. Trump said to multiple reporters and media outlets today that he has no intention to quit the race.
Former California Governor and Future Celebrity Apprentice Host Arnold Schwarzenegger also chimed in today that he will not be voting for his reality tv predecessor.
“For the first time since I became a citizen in 1983, I will not vote for the Republican candidate for President,” stated Schwarzenegger. “So I want to take a moment today to remind my fellow Republicans that it is not only acceptable to choose your country over your party – it is your duty.”
Over 20 other prominent Republican leaders issued condemning statements on Trump today, including Governors, Senators and other party leaders across the country.
“We’ve never seen anything like this in a modern American election campaign,” stated FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver in an update published this afternoon. “Furthermore, the story comes in advance of the second presidential debate on Sunday […] an OK debate wouldn’t be enough for Trump. He needs at least a good debate, and maybe a very good debate, since it represents one of his last and best opportunities to turn the race around.”
The second presidential debate will be broadcast on Sunday, October 9th at 9pm ET, and can be streamed online via youtube: